Initial ON FOX: Senate Republicans led by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., have signed on to a letter contacting for added hearings on human trafficking, noting the new blockbuster film "Sound of Liberty" has elevated community consciousness on the challenge.

"The United States Senate need to continue to carry out much-needed oversight of this administration’s border policies to come across fast options to combat one of the most disturbing effects of insufficient border security: the proliferation of human trafficking," the letter to the Democratic chairs of the Senate Homeland, Judiciary and Overseas Affairs Committee states.

The lawmakers cite estimates of up to 17,500 trafficking victims each and every year, with additional than 1,300 investigations opened in fiscal calendar year 2022 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) and an enhance of 50% of trafficking-connected arrests. 

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Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., speaks to supporters during a rally Oct. 25, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. (Scott Olson/Getty Visuals)

The Republicans blame the Biden administration for running an "open border policy," which they say is encouraging drug, sex and human trafficking, tapping into extended-standing criticisms of the administration’s procedures from conservatives.

There were around 1.7 million migrant encounters in fiscal 2021 and 2.4 million in fiscal 2022. The lawmakers pointed out ongoing considerations about a surge in unaccompanied kids, which has been described as fueling boy or girl labor trafficking in the U.S. They say it paints a "dire photograph of the crisis at our southwest border that can not be overlooked."

The administration has explained it is cracking down on smugglers and illegal entry while encouraging the use of noticeably expanded legal pathways for migrants so they do not want to use smuggling routes. The Labor Section explained this week it is "leaving no stone unturned to root out exploitative little one labor."

The lawmakers notice the issue of human trafficking has been back in the highlight with the launch of "Sound of Flexibility," a faith-based mostly motion picture in which a federal particular agent quits his task and journeys to the jungles of South America in look for of a target of human trafficking. 

The movie has turn out to be a summer blockbuster, raking in above $130 million at the box business due to the fact its July 4 weekend debut. 

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"The movie, ‘Sound of Freedom’ … has played an crucial part in generating general public awareness of this present day-working day variety of slavery," the lawmakers explained in the letter.

Sen. Ron Johnson speaks to Tim Ballard and Jim Caviezel July 25, 2023. (Sen. Ron Johnson/Twitter)

Johnson introduced a copy of the letter to Agent Tim Ballard and actor Jim Caviezel this 7 days. 

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"Presented your committee’s roles in overseeing DHS, we urge you to investigate and keep hearings into DHS’s endeavours to overcome human trafficking," the lawmakers wrote. "Without our awareness and leadership, human trafficking will carry on to plague this nation."