San José Mineta International Airport Expands Human Trafficking Prevention Efforts with New Frontline Resources

San José, Calif. – Ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, San José Mineta International Airport (SJC) is expanding its efforts to combat human trafficking by equipping thousands of frontline employees with new tools to recognize and report potential victims.

In partnership with Freedom Insight, SJC has distributed more than 2,000 pocket-sized human trafficking indicator cards to Airport personnel, including ground crews, curbside staff, terminal employees and volunteers. The cards provide quick-reference guidance on identifying warning signs, reporting concerns through established Airport protocols and accessing additional training resources.

The indicator cards build on SJC's broader commitment to combating human trafficking. Earlier this year, in preparation for increased travel associated with major sporting events in the Bay Area, Airport personnel participated in in-depth human trafficking awareness training delivered in partnership with Freedom Insight and the South Bay Coalition to End Human Trafficking, with support from the Saratoga Rotary Foundation. The training equipped employees to recognize, respond to and report potential trafficking situations moving through the Airport. 

Every day, thousands of Airport employees interact with thousands of travelers. From custodial staff and airline employees to information desk volunteers and curbside personnel, these frontline workers are uniquely positioned to recognize indicators of potential human trafficking and help connect victims with appropriate resources. 

According to survivor surveys, 38% of trafficking victims move through airports at some point during their exploitation, making frontline airport personnel a critical link in identifying and reporting potential trafficking situations.* 

Designed as an accessible daily resource for passenger-facing staff, these quick-reference indicator cards feature: 

• Key warning signs of potential trafficking (e.g., passengers who lack control of their travel documents, do not know their destination, or are not allowed to speak for themselves).
• Clear reporting protocols to help employees respond rapidly and reach the appropriate SJC contacts.
• QR codes to access complimentary human trafficking awareness and prevention training available to all SJC personnel.

“Protecting the public requires strong partnerships and a shared commitment to prevention,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “This initiative brings together the Airport, nonprofit organizations, and frontline employees to ensure that the people who interact with thousands of travelers every day have the tools and training they need to recognize potential signs of human trafficking and respond appropriately.”

“Human trafficking is a crime that thrives in the shadows, and combating it requires all of us to remain vigilant,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “By equipping frontline airport employees with the knowledge to recognize and report the warning signs, we're strengthening our community's ability to protect vulnerable individuals and hold traffickers accountable. San José is proud to partner with organizations like Freedom Insight to make our city – and our Airport – a safer place for everyone.”

“Our Airport team is often the eyes and ears of the traveling public,” said SJC director of aviation Mookie Patel. “Whether someone works on the curb, in the terminal or behind the scenes, every employee has the potential to make a difference. These cards provide an easy-to-use resource that empowers our team to recognize warning signs, follow established reporting procedures and help protect those who may be at risk. Keeping our Airport safe is about more than infrastructure – it's about people looking out for people.”

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30, was established by the United Nations in 2013 to raise awareness of human trafficking, promote and protect the rights of victims, and encourage global action to prevent this crime. Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights that exploits people for commercial sex or labor through force, fraud, or coercion. It affects nearly every country in the world, whether as a place of origin, transit, or destination for victims, with an estimated 1.1 million victims in the United States alone.*

* Sources:

Walk Free (2023). The Global Slavery Index 2023. Mineroo Foundation. https://bit.ly/4936CYI.
U.S. Department of Transportation (2025). Countering Human Trafficking in Transportation [Fact Sheet]. https://bit.ly/4hGdRYV.
Polaris (2018). On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes: A Roadmap for Systems and Industries to Prevent and Disrupt Human Trafficking. https://bit.ly/47ral13.
United Against Slavery (2023). National Outreach Survey for Transportation. https://bit.ly/4nxjvO5.