The administration under former President Donald Trump has reportedly identified and "rescued" more than 13,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the United States during Joe Biden's presidency, with previous uncertainty about their whereabouts. According to recent reports, this initiative is part of a broader effort to dismantle child trafficking networks and enhance the scrutiny of "sponsors" after revelations that over 320,000 migrant children were lost track of during Biden's administration.
"Kids are being rescued," a Trump administration official stated, referring to the tracking of minors handed over to sponsors who had not been properly vetted, often exposing these children to the dangers of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and trafficking. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has reportedly arrested 422 sponsors suspected of crimes such as child abuse, attempted murder, and human trafficking. One notable arrest involved a Guatemalan fugitive, accused of attempted murder, who was apprehended in Newark after sponsoring a migrant child.
Alarming Cases of Child Exploitation
One troubling case highlighted by The New York Post involved a 15-year-old girl who was impregnated by an Ecuadorian man in New York, living with her and her mother after crossing the border alone. Federal agents detained the perpetrator on May 28.
A report published last year cites a study from the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General, revealing thousands of minors were placed with adults without proper background checks. Many of these children were not summoned to immigration court, complicating efforts to track them.
Criticism of Biden's "Open Borders" Policy
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem criticized the Biden administration for allegedly enabling "the largest human trafficking operation in modern history" by maintaining "open borders" and encouraging illegal migration. "The evil of human trafficking cannot be underestimated. It is modern-day slavery. By keeping our borders open and even encouraging people to come here illegally, Biden has allowed the largest human trafficking operation in modern history," the Department of Homeland Security posted on social media.
Returning Children to Safety
Tom Homan, appointed by Trump as the "border czar," explained that some of the identified children were working under slave-like conditions on farms and ranches without access to education. He also noted that fear of immigration proceedings made some minors reluctant to cooperate with authorities. Rescued children are either returned to their home countries for family reunification or placed in foster care under the supervision of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Despite the Trump administration's defense of its measures as efforts to "protect" and "rescue" these children, the issue remains highly politicized amidst cross-accusations and questions about the effectiveness of the U.S. child migrant protection systems.
Understanding the Challenges of Migrant Child Protection
What actions did the Trump administration take to address child trafficking?
The Trump administration focused on locating and rescuing unaccompanied migrant children, enhancing scrutiny of their sponsors, and dismantling child trafficking networks.
How many migrant children were unaccounted for during Biden's administration?
Reports indicate that over 320,000 migrant children were not properly tracked during Joe Biden's presidency.
What criticisms did Kristi Noem express about Biden's border policy?
Kristi Noem accused the Biden administration of enabling the largest human trafficking operation in modern history by keeping borders open and encouraging illegal migration.