In a massive, in-depth investigative report not often attempted by newspapers these days, Kansas City Star reporters and a photographer/videographer traveled the world, from Guatemalan migrant shelters to the deadly streets of Tijuana. They found that America is losing the battle — even in its own backyard. In fact, Kansas City is an emerging hub of human trafficking activity. The package includes five parts, each dealing with an aspect of the issue in video, photos, text and infographics.

CHANNEL: Kansas City Star

Reporters: Mike McGraw, Laura Bauer, Mark Morris
Video and photography: Keith Myers
Narration: Dave Eames

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DAY 1: Human trafficking in America: A new slavery

Video: A New Slavery

Summary: Reporters discuss the key points of the investigation, noting that the unfortunate victims of human trafficking may be “your neighbor, your co-worker or your friend.” Immigrants are often heavily in debt to criminals who brought them here, and wind up virtual slaves — mistreated and threatened with their lives. Although the U.S. government has technically “declared war” on this practice, it is doing little to stop it, and frequently denies assistance to victims.

Length: 3:43

SEE ALSO:

Story: U.S. system to find, help victims of human trafficking is broken

Story: Hostage House, Part 1: Beginning a descent into despair

Infographic: Coming to America

By: Dave Eames and Mark Morris
Graphic: A primer on human trafficking statistics, with a world map locating source of victims and reported incidences trafficking in the United States. Also includes helpful definitions, and warning signs to identify victims and how to report them.

Photo slide show: A New Slavery: Border Crossing (51 photos)
Photographer: Keith Myers

DAY 2: Snares of the Sex Trade

Video: Repeats from Day 1

SEE ALSO:

Story: Sex slavery: The desperate plight of many women

Story: Hostage House, Part 2: A slave to time and money

Story: Determined prosecutor combats trafficking with novel tactics

Story: Time after time, they run from squalor

DAY 3: Fraud’s welcome mat

Video: Guatemala is one source of human trafficking

Summary: Guatemala, a country that is the poorest in the hemisphere, is one source of human trafficking. The video highlights the plight of Luis, a typically poor Guatemalan, who had worked illegally in the U.S. to earn money for his family, then was deported and lost it all. Extreme poverty in this country causes thousands of citizens to flee to the U.S. each year, and law enforcement is unable or unwilling to intervene.

Length: 3:11

SEE ALSO:

Story: Work visa program is rife with problems

Story: Hostage House, Part 3: Family link offers solace — and peril

Story: Kingpins live the high life on workers’ efforts

Story: Money flows home to poor countries

Story: Decades pass, yet abuse cases persist

Story: One worker’s injury on the job incurs the wrath of an angry trafficker

Story: Traffickers rely upon labor recruiters in faraway lands

DAY 4: Ask questions later

Video: Deportation flights may violate rights, critics say

Summary: The Star was allowed to board a flight operated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) that returned deportees to Guatemala, “a flight nobody want to catch.” The deportees are searched extensively, and can be abused and threatened even on the flight. Once returned home, some may repeat the cycle.

Length: 2:21

SEE ALSO:

Story: Ask Questions Later: Victims are too often deported

Story: Hostage House, Part 4: Armed men, just outside the door

Story: A Closer Look: One deportee’s story

Story: Air fleets fraught with woes

Story: Poverty in Central America pushes residents to risk the trip north

Slide show: (23 photos) A new slavery: ICE flight
Photos by Keith Myers

DAY 5: Changing Views

Video: Solutions to human trafficking are difficult, necessary

Summary: An audio slide presentation with a summary of the report’s findings, as told by the reporters who worked on the series, and their suggestions for solutions to the problem.

Length: 2:16

SEE ALSO:

Story: Changing views: Government promises action

Story: Hostage House, Part 5 | ‘I share my liberty with my son’

Story: Experts offer ideas to address trafficking

Story: Ideas from the experts: Mark Bratman, International Rescue Committee

Story: Ideas from the experts: Jolene Smith of Free the Slaves

Story: Voices for change (feedback)