Combating Illegal Migration in the Digital Era

When an IVLP group comes to Northwest Florida, we don’t just host them; we connect them with the people and places shaping America’s future.

In May 2026, Gulf Coast Diplomacy welcomed two exchange participants from India for an eight-day International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on sharing best practices for investigating and prosecuting online fraud, trafficking, and other illegal activities. The project was coordinated nationally by Meridian International Center.

Over three programming days, participants engaged with leaders in law enforcement from the city, county, and state levels, as well as local leaders in government and survivor services in settings designed to encourage dialogue and collaboration. Hands-on sessions, home hospitality, and cultural activities ensured that the visit combined professional depth with an authentic local connection.

Program Highlights

• • Site Visit & Discussion at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office
    Sheriff Chip Simmons, Investigators Kristi Berry, Suzanne Lloyd, and Amelia Hutchins Moore, and Community Relations Coordinator David Craig discussed strategies for linking fraud-based recruitment and coercion tactics to trafficking activity.  Participants explored efforts to enhance victim identification, strengthen partnerships with community organizations, and implement prevention initiatives to disrupt trafficking and fraud at the local level.
  • Site Visit & Discussion at the Gulf Coast Kids’ House, Inc.
    Clinical Coordinator of the Child Protection Team Barbie Valletto welcomed participants to the center to discuss best practices in interagency coordination, strategies for maintaining a child-focused approach throughout the investigative process, and the critical role of community partnerships in prevention, early intervention, and long-term support for victims and their families.
  • Hospitality Welcome at Visit Pensacola Visitor Center 
    Sales and Services Associate Jennifer Saba welcomed the exchange participants to Pensacola and shared a hospitality gift highlighting the region’s commitment to welcoming professional exchanges.
  • Roundtable Discussion with the Pensacola Police Department (PPD) at Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
    Sgt. Joe Taschetta and Sgt. Charles Restifo of the Pensacola Police Department met with exchange participants at Pensacola International Airport to discuss collaboration between airport authorities and law enforcement agencies and to share approaches for investigating fraud and trafficking cases.
  • State Attorney’s Office, Florida 1st Judicial Circuit – Human Trafficking & Fraud Prosecution
    Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Frederick Longmire met with exchange participants to discuss prosecutorial strategies for trafficking and fraud cases, including evidence development, victim-centered approaches in court proceedings, and legal challenges in holding offenders accountable.  This meeting highlighted coordination with victim service providers, the use of specialized units and task forces, and efforts to strengthen prevention and community awareness around exploitation and fraud.
  • Site Visit to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) – Pensacola Regional Operations Center
    Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew White provided insight into how laboratory capabilities and investigative strategies intersect in building prosecutable cases, as well as the role of interagency coordination in addressing increasingly sophisticated and cross-border criminal activity.
  • Site Visit to the Port of Pensacola – Roundtable Discussion
    Port Commercial Development & Seaport Security Manager Thomas Coggin presented on port security measures, the city-led structure of the port, and coordination with customs and U.S. Coast Guard partners to identify suspicious activity and implement preventive strategies. He also led the participants on a guided tour of the port, so they could see firsthand the ongoing operations.
  • Local Stakeholder Meeting
    Participants spoke with Alicia Tappan, CEO of Survivor-Led Solutions, and Marsha Travis, Director of Programs at Favor House of Northwest Florida, about combating organized crime, trafficking, and exploitation.
  • Home Hospitality Dinner
    An evening spent in a local home, sharing meals and conversation, fostered understanding and built friendships that extended beyond professional connections. Thank you to Carol and Robert Payne, and Liz, Basil, and Leah Yelverton for welcoming the exchange participants and enhancing their experience in Northwest Florida.

Why It Matters

For Our Community
This program brought international leaders into direct conversation with local leaders. It gave our region a chance to showcase how intelligence-led policing, forensic integration, and interagency information sharing help combat crime in the digital era. Projects like this strengthen the local economy through hotels, restaurants, and transportation, while offering Americans exposure to new perspectives and demonstrating why Northwest Florida is an inspiring place for professional exchange.

For Our Nation
This IVLP project supported professional exchange on issues affecting communities worldwide, including fraud, trafficking, and other forms of transnational crime. By connecting exchange participants with American counterparts in law enforcement, prosecution, victim services, and public administration, the program highlighted U.S. expertise, strengthened professional networks, and promoted cooperation on shared public safety challenges.

Thank You to Our Partners

We are grateful to everyone listed above and to their teams for making this program possible.

Your expertise, generosity, and welcome demonstrated the best of Northwest Florida to our international visitors.