Feds lost track of tens of thousands of unaccompanied alien children after release

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general recently released a report highlighting the challenges faced by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in monitoring the whereabouts of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who enter the country illegally and are subsequently released from custody.

Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari revealed that between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, ICE transferred more than 448,000 UACs to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who in turn released most of them to sponsors. However, a concerning number of over 31,000 children were released to addresses with missing information or were undeliverable.

Furthermore, the report pointed out that ICE often did not have information on the location of UACs who absconded while under the care of HHS. This lack of oversight raised concerns about the safety and well-being of these vulnerable children.

The investigation also found that ICE failed to issue notices to appear (NTA) to all UACs, which would have prompted the scheduling of immigration court dates by the Department of Justice. As of January this year, over 233,000 unaccompanied children had not been served NTAs, with more than 43,000 of those who received NTAs failing to appear for their court dates.

Additionally, ICE was not always informed about the status or safety of the children unless it received tips from external sources. This lack of communication was attributed to other federal agencies failing to notify ICE about the whereabouts of sponsors.

Cuffari acknowledged that ICE’s limited staffing hindered its ability to effectively monitor each UAC, posing risks of trafficking, exploitation, forced labor, and criminal activities. The report underscored the urgent need for improved coordination and communication among federal agencies to ensure the protection of these vulnerable children.

During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Rep. Tony Gonzales raised concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of the UAC crisis, highlighting instances where minors were lost track of by HHS and subjected to trafficking and other forms of abuse.

Gonzales emphasized the need for immediate action to address the failures at the border and protect the well-being of unaccompanied children. He called for a collaborative effort to rectify the existing problems and prevent further harm to these vulnerable individuals.

In conclusion, the report shed light on the critical challenges faced by ICE in monitoring UACs and ensuring their safety post-release. The findings underscored the need for comprehensive reforms and increased collaboration among federal agencies to address the shortcomings in the current system.

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