Trafficked in America (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

The first paragraph introduces the hidden crime of immigrant teenagers being forced into labor in the United States. It details the vulnerability of these young individuals, often around 14 or 15 years old, who are taken advantage of due to their isolation and the promise of work and education. The narrative follows a journey from Central America to American farms, highlighting a criminal conspiracy investigated by reporter Daffodil Altan. It also touches on the shocking conditions these teens face, including long hours without breaks and overcrowded, unsanitary living conditions.

Paragraph 2 delves into the journey of the teenagers from the Western Highlands of Guatemala to Ohio, facilitated by a human trafficker named Aroldo Castillo. Castillo, known for smuggling adults to the U.S., extends his operations to teenagers, charging them $15,000 for the trip and the promise of jobs and education. The narrative describes the harsh realities of their trip, including the dangers of crossing Mexico and the infamous train known as 'The Beast.' Upon arrival in the U.S., they are detained by Border Patrol and, due to overwhelmed government systems, placed with sponsors who are not thoroughly vetted, leading to their placement with Castillo.

This paragraph discusses the exploitation of immigrant workers by companies such as Jack DeCoster's egg farm, which had a history of labor violations and was known for its poor conditions. Despite fines and penalties, DeCoster continued to operate, and his facilities were eventually leased to Trillium Farms. The paragraph also highlights the role of Pablo Duran, Sr., who had a multi-million-dollar contract with Trillium to supply workers, some of whom were victims of trafficking.

Paragraph 4 describes the aftermath of a raid on Trillium Farms, where it was discovered that trafficked Guatemalan teens were forced to work to pay off their debts. The narrative follows the efforts of a Florida uncle who, upon hearing of the situation, contacted authorities, leading to a swift response from the FBI, HSI, and the U.S. attorney's office. The raid led to the detention of approximately 45 people, with federal prosecutors describing the situation as 'modern-day slavery.' The U.S. attorney's office continues its investigation into the matter.

Paragraph 5 focuses on the role of the U.S. government in inadvertently placing unaccompanied minors into the hands of traffickers. It discusses the failure of the Department of Health and Human Services to adequately vet sponsors and protect children, leading to numerous cases of trafficking and abuse. The narrative also highlights the lack of follow-up with these minors once they leave government care, leaving their fates unknown.

This paragraph explores the impact of human trafficking on small communities in the Midwest, where unaccompanied minors are brought to work off debts in local plants. It also details the involvement of the Duran family, particularly Pablo Duran, Sr., and his sons, in the trafficking operation. The narrative describes the arrest and conviction of Pablo Duran, Jr., and the subsequent search for Pablo Duran, Sr., who was eventually found in Mexico City.

Paragraph 7 discusses Trillium Farms' reaction to the trafficking scandal, including the termination of its contract with Pablo Duran and the implementation of reforms with the help of an anti-trafficking organization. The company's vice president expresses shock and naivety regarding the prevalence of human trafficking and acknowledges the responsibility to prevent future occurrences. Despite the efforts, the use of contractors has not been completely eliminated.

In the final paragraph, the narrative returns to Guatemala where the families of the trafficked teens have reclaimed their deeds thanks to Aroldo Castillo's sentencing. Some of the teens have received special visas for victims of trafficking and are now in school or working. The U.S. attorney's office confirms that the investigation into human trafficking is ongoing, and Pablo Duran, who was arrested upon attempting to return to the U.S., is facing charges.

The concluding paragraph provides information on where viewers can find more about the 'Trafficked in America' program, including the website pbs.org/frontline, where the program is available on DVD and for download on iTunes.