Fox News has shed light on the ongoing crisis concerning the well-being of unaccompanied children crossing the southern border. This issue has gained particular attention due to the alarming number of minors that have gone missing or unaccounted for. Under the Biden administration, thousands of children have become ensnared in a system criticized for its lax vetting processes and lack of efficient recordkeeping.
Throughout the Trump presidency, efforts to locate these vulnerable children intensified. As of now, more than 22,000 unaccompanied minors have been located by officials under the Trump administration. The data also reveal a tragic side to this crisis, with at least 27 children having died due to murder, suicide, or drug overdose. John Fabbricatore, a senior advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stressed the urgency of the matter, stating, “It’s important that we find these cases where children are being used for labor and sexually trafficked.”
Under the directive of President Trump, a dedicated team was formed to address this disconcerting situation, putting Tom Homan in charge as the “border czar.” This specialized team operates out of a facility called the ORR Interagency Crime Coordination Cell in Washington, D.C. Volunteers from several agencies, including the FBI, contribute their expertise to this initiative in what has been labeled a “war room” environment.
Reports from Fabbricatore indicate that many children were found in deplorable conditions, subjected to exploitation. “We found children who have been raped,” he said. “We’re talking about debt bondage, where children are being made to work off debt, trafficking debt.” The reality for these minors often involves being placed in terrifying situations, with some victims falling into the hands of heroin dealers, leading to tragic outcomes like overdose deaths.
The crisis escalated dramatically in early 2021, with an unprecedented influx of children arriving at the border. By the end of that year, HHS had received over 470,000 referrals for unaccompanied minors. Unfortunately, many of these children were released to sponsors without adequate checks in place, exposing them to severe risks. The past administration’s policies were starkly criticized by Fabbricatore, who pointed out that poor recordkeeping hampered the ability to ensure safety. “There wasn’t very good recordkeeping under the Biden administration,” he noted. “It’s drawing that data back in, being able to identify addresses, where these children went, who these sponsors actually were.”
Fabbricatore flagged the absence of mandatory DNA testing as a critical oversight. Without this measure, children could easily be released to individuals who were not their actual relatives. The Trump administration instituted more robust vetting requirements, insisting on verifying familial connections, income proof, and background checks with the aim of safeguarding these minors. “Children are staying in custody longer, but there’s a reason for that, because we want to ensure that these children remain safe,” Fabbricatore explained.
Moreover, the backlog of reports regarding the safety of unaccompanied minors reached over 65,000 under the former administration. These reports, known as Notifications of Concern, detailed allegations of neglect, exploitation, and potential trafficking. Fabbricatore shared that around 1,700 cases involved children under 12 years old being placed with unrelated sponsors without proper home studies, raising significant alarm about their well-being. Thankfully, about 90% of the backlog has been reviewed, yet close to 7,000 reports remain pending.
Ultimately, the objective when these children are located is to reunite them with their parents if they are still in their home countries and there are no credible safety concerns. Fabbricatore posed a critical question: “If their parents are in a previous country and there is not a credible fear claim, is it not better for a child to be with their parents or in our foster care system here in the United States?” He argued for a focus on family reunification whenever feasible, emphasizing the rights and dignity of the children caught in this precarious situation.
This issue is far from resolved, but the work being done highlights a proactive approach to a heartbreaking dilemma facing many families and children. The focus now is on improving protocols to ensure safety and prevent further tragedies as the nation grapples with the ramifications of border policies and their impact on the most vulnerable populations.
"*" indicates required fields
