What does the term "stash house" refer to in human smuggling?

The term "stash house" in the context of human smuggling specifically refers to a secure location where individuals who have been smuggled may be held temporarily. This is often done to keep them hidden from law enforcement before they are transported to their final destination or during a period when it is too dangerous to move them. The purpose of a stash house is to provide a relatively safe environment where traffickers can control the situation and minimize the risks of detection.

In this scenario, a stash house plays a crucial role in the logistics of human smuggling operations, serving as a waypoint for migrants who are often vulnerable and reliant on traffickers for their next steps, gaining strength from the concealment it provides. Other terms associated with human smuggling, such as document creation or financial transactions, do not encompass the primary function of a stash house.