operation underground railroad
Mormon Church Denounces Tim Ballard’s “Morally Unacceptable” Activities
A church spokesperson tells VICE News that Ballard “betrayed his friendship” with a powerful leader, who “never authorized his name, or the name of the Church, to be used for Tim’s personal or financial interests.”
Tim Ballard Out as CEO at Glenn Beck-Backed Nazarene Fund
The news follows his mysterious departure from Operation Underground Railroad, the other anti-trafficking organization of which he was the most recognizable face.
Tim Ballard Left Operation Underground Railroad After Investigation Into Claims Made by Employees
The anti-trafficking activist whose story was the basis for Sound of Freedom left his own organization after an internal investigation, according to a letter circulating among employees and donors.
Tim Ballard Has ‘Stepped Away’ From Operation Underground Railroad, Org Says
The founder of the controversial anti-trafficking group left before the launch of "Sound of Freedom," a surprisingly successful movie about his exploits.
Anti-Trafficking Group With Long History of False Claims Gets Its Hollywood Moment
Operation Underground Railroad has spent years making big, often unprovable claims about its paramilitary missions and role in rescuing trafficked kids. Now, a new hit movie may help solidify the myth.
America's Most Influential Conspiracy Theorists Are Going All-In On Transphobia
As the line between the fringe and the mainstream blurs, conspiracy peddlers are influencing—and in turn being influenced by—the national panic targeting trans people.
Twitter’s New Head of Trust and Safety Offers to Partner with Controversial Anti-Trafficking Group
Operation Underground Railroad has a long track record of misrepresenting its work; now, it could be partnering with Elon Musk’s Twitter.
Operation Underground Railroad Touts Non-Existent Partnership With American Airlines
OUR’s CEO Tim Ballard claimed the organization has a “collaboration” this month with American Airlines, but American says otherwise.
The Anti-Trafficking Movement Is Pivoting to Afghanistan
American anti-trafficking groups often make impossible-to-verify claims. Now, they’re doing it in the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Inside the Shadowy Anti–Sex Trafficking Group OUR
We spoke to people who trained for a rescue mission and saw what was behind the curtain.
Anti-Trafficking Charity Operation Underground Railroad Has Another Murky Rescue Story
The anti-trafficking group tells a tale about saving 10 women from sexual slavery and bringing them to the U.S. with the help of Trump’s White House and Tony Robbins. The full story is even stranger.
Operation Underground Railroad’s Carefully Crafted Public Image Is Falling Apart
Federal investigators, a staff exodus, and a disastrous appearance at a conspiracy conference have the anti-trafficking charity facing unprecedented pressure.