Becerra grilled over Refugee Resettlement Office
House Republicans grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Wednesday over his agency’s failure to properly account for thousands of unaccompanied migrant children and the process used to vet their sponsors amid concerns of exploitation and abuse.
Speaking before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, Becerra testified about his department’s Refugee Resettlement Office, which is responsible for the care and placement of unaccompanied migrant children. Republican subcommittee members raised concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of these children, accusing them of rushing them out of HHS custody and into the hands of unvetted sponsors who may exploit and abuse them.
During the hearing, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., questioned Becerra on the safety measures in place for vetting sponsors, highlighting the importance of conducting thorough background checks to ensure the well-being of the children. Becerra defended his agency’s practices, stating that they follow child welfare best practices and conduct extensive background checks before placing children with sponsors.
However, lawmakers pointed to several disturbing cases of violence committed by criminal illegal immigrants and unaccompanied migrant children who were released into the United States under the Biden administration’s watch. These cases included the murder of Laken Riley and Kayla Hamilton, as well as the killing of 11-year-old Maria Gonzalez. Subcommittee Chair Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., emphasized the need for proper vetting procedures to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
In response to questions about the vetting process for unaccompanied children, Becerra clarified that the Department of Homeland Security handles the initial vetting, while HHS conducts further checks once the child is in their care. He emphasized that HHS’s custodial responsibility ends once the child is placed with a vetted sponsor.
Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, criticized the Biden administration’s handling of refugee admissions, highlighting the significant increase in admissions compared to the previous administration. He raised concerns about the prioritization of new Americans over the needs of American citizens.
As the hearing concluded, McClintock expressed his disappointment in Becerra’s lack of a concrete plan for improvement. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the lives of these vulnerable children and holding sponsors accountable for their actions.
Overall, the hearing underscored the urgent need for comprehensive vetting procedures and accountability measures to protect unaccompanied migrant children from exploitation and abuse. It is essential for the Biden administration to prioritize the safety and well-being of these children and ensure that proper safeguards are in place to prevent future tragedies.
