President Donald Trump’s administration has made significant strides in locating nearly 23,000 missing unaccompanied migrant children, a sobering task overshadowed by a troubling legacy from the previous administration. Under Biden’s watch, over 470,000 unaccompanied minors entered the United States from 2021 to 2024, with many disappearing into a system that failed to protect them adequately. Most alarming is the grim tally that includes 27 children who tragically did not survive.
This effort to find missing children comes from a specialized team led by border czar Tom Homan and senior Department of Health and Human Services advisor John Fabbricatore. Their commitment aims to address the plight of these minors, who have often fallen victim to exploitation, trafficking, and violence. “It’s important that we find these cases where children are being used for labor and sexually trafficked,” stated Fabbricatore, highlighting the dire circumstances many of these children have endured.
The statistics reported by Fox News detail the emergence of a crisis that exposes the failures of previous immigration policies. The Trump administration has not only located 22,638 unaccompanied children but has also arrested more than 400 suspected traffickers amid a nationwide search. The deaths of these children have been attributed to various tragic circumstances, including murder, suicide, and overdose, painting a grim picture of their experiences since being separated from their families.
Homan, tasked with leading the charge on this sensitive issue, created a volunteer task force combining resources from multiple agencies, including the FBI. Working in a dedicated space known as the ORR Interagency Crime Coordination Cell in Washington, D.C., the team has been meticulously combing through records, many of which were poorly maintained by prior leadership. The urgency of their mission reflects a commitment to reversing past inadequacies and ensuring a more secure future for vulnerable youths.
Under Biden, many of these children were handed off to sponsors without proper vetting. The absence of essential safeguards—like DNA testing, background checks, fingerprinting, and proof of income—left minors in potentially harmful situations. Fabbricatore emphasized the importance of re-evaluating these dangerous practices: “Under this administration, we are making sure that we know there’s a real familial connection through DNA, and we are not releasing these children unless we have the right information.” This shift signifies a new approach to child safety that places rigorous standards on how sponsors are evaluated.
Additionally, the administration has applied a more cautious strategy regarding custody. Rather than rushing children back into the arms of potential abusers, there is a concerted effort to ensure safe environments for 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, advocating for safeguarded reunifications with parents when credible fear claims are absent.
The administration’s focus on family reunification extends beyond merely reestablishing connections. It seeks to ensure that these reunifications do not place children back into threatening situations. “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?” Fabbricatore questioned, underlining a pragmatic approach to child welfare and family integrity.
The cumulative efforts of this task force are a stark contrast to past policies, which have led to a frightening loss of oversight and compassion. The grim reality of so many unaccounted children implores a collective acknowledgment of responsibility that transcends partisan divides. With each child that is located, there is an opportunity to reflect on what was lost during a time of negligence. After three years of distressing outcomes, Trump’s approach signifies a necessary pivot away from the failures that allowed such vulnerabilities to persist.
As the administration continues its search, the hope remains that each recovered child can lead to a renewed commitment to safeguarding those among the most at risk—a commitment to ensuring that no child is left to navigate an uncertain future alone.
"*" indicates required fields
