The Trump administration announced that it has found about 25,000 migrant children who were previously unaccounted for during the Biden administration. This revelation came from Border Czar Tom Homan, who shared the information during a recent interview.
According to a report from the inspector general last year, around 320,000 migrant children went missing after being released into the U.S. to sponsors who had not been properly vetted. Homan explained that while some children were safe and chose to stay hidden with their parents to avoid deportation, many others faced serious dangers, including sex trafficking and forced labor. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to locating these children, stating, “We’re not gonna stop looking for these children until we find every single one of them.”
Tragically, Homan also disclosed that 27 of these children had died. He expressed determination to continue the search, labeling it a major priority for the Trump administration.
The issue of unaccounted migrant children is pressing, with a staggering 291,000 children reported as not given future court dates by May 2024. This leaves federal authorities unable to track their whereabouts. Additionally, another 32,000 children who were given court dates failed to appear.
Whistleblowers from the Biden administration have raised alarms about the flawed vetting process that allowed children to be placed with sponsors who may have been involved in trafficking. One whistleblower testified that she faced retaliation after she alerted her superiors about the risks, claiming that children were being placed with individuals who were not their relatives and that there was evidence of abuse.
Another whistleblower, Deborah White, described the inadequate vetting process, which often consisted of a single phone call to the children a month later. By that time, many could not be reached. She criticized the Office of Refugee Resettlement for lacking training on how to identify human trafficking and fraud.
The situation has raised serious questions about the safety and well-being of these vulnerable children. As the Trump administration vows to continue its search, the ongoing crisis highlights the need for improved oversight and protection for unaccompanied minors crossing the border.
