Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez Joins Attorney General James Uthmeier’s 100 Percent Club to Combat Human Trafficking
The Miami-Dade County Office of the Tax Collector has joined Attorney General James Uthmeier’s 100 Percent Club, a statewide initiative bringing public institutions together to strengthen the fight against human trafficking through training, awareness, and coordinated reporting.
As a constitutional office that serves residents every day through tax collection, vehicle registration, identification services, and other essential functions, the Tax Collector’s Office occupies a unique frontline role. Employees interact with thousands of residents across Miami-Dade County, placing them in a position to recognize warning signs of exploitation that often go unnoticed.
Human trafficking remains one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the United States. Victims come from all backgrounds and ages, and cases are frequently hidden in plain sight. Florida continues to rank among the states with the highest number of reported cases, particularly in large and diverse communities like Miami-Dade.
“Human trafficking is not an abstract crime. It is a real and ongoing threat that demands active leadership and coordination across government,” said Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez. “By joining the Attorney General’s 100 Percent Club, we are strengthening our partnership with state authorities, training our employees to recognize warning signs, and using the daily reach of our offices to raise awareness in the community. Government cannot be passive. When agencies are informed and engaged, they become a critical line of defense for those who are most vulnerable.”
Through participation in the 100 Percent Club, the Tax Collector’s Office has committed to training its workforce to identify indicators of human trafficking and to providing clear, accessible resources for reporting suspected cases. Employees are equipped with guidance on how to respond appropriately and how to connect concerns to the proper authorities.
This effort reflects a broader commitment to integrating public safety, accountability, and human dignity into everyday government operations. By embedding awareness into routine services, the Tax Collector’s Office is reinforcing public trust while supporting a coordinated statewide response to human trafficking.
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, help is available through the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-FLA-SAFE (1-855-352-7233), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
