The administration of former President Donald Trump has located and "rescued" more than 13,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the United States during Joe Biden's term and whose whereabouts had been lost, according to recent reports.
According to data revealed by The New York Post, the action is part of a larger offensive to eradicate networks of child trafficking and improve the investigation systems for "sponsors," following reports that more than 320,000 migrant children went off the radar during Joe Biden's administration.
"The children are being rescued," declared an official from the Trump administration, referring to the tracking of minors placed with sponsors that were not properly vetted and, in many cases, exposed children to risks of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and trafficking.
According to the cited cases, ICE arrested 422 sponsors allegedly linked to crimes such as child abuse, attempted homicide, and human trafficking. One of them, a Guatemalan fugitive accused of attempted murder, was arrested in Newark after having sponsored a migrant minor.
Another case reported by The Post involved a 15-year-old girl pregnant by an Ecuadorian man in New York, who was living with her and her mother after crossing the border alone. The assailant was arrested by federal agents on May 28.
A report published last year cites a study from the Inspector General of Homeland Security which indicates that thousands of minors were placed with adults without background checks. Many were not scheduled for a court hearing, which hindered their tracking.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, accused the Biden administration of allowing “the largest human trafficking operation in modern history by leaving “borders open” and encouraging irregular migration.
"The harm caused by 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," wrote the Department of Homeland Security on social media.
Tom Homan, appointed as the "border czar" by Trump, detailed that some of the children located were working as slaves on farms and ranches, without access to education. He also noted that some minors avoided responding to authorities out of fear of facing immigration processes.
The rescued children are deported to their countries of origin to reunite with their families or placed in foster homes under the supervision of HHS (Department of Health and Human Services).
Despite the Trump administration's defense that its measure aims to "protect" and "rescue" children, the issue remains highly politicized, amid cross accusations and questions regarding the effectiveness of the migrant child protection systems in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Location of Undocumented Children by the Trump Administration
How many migrant children did the Trump administration locate?
The Trump administration located and "rescued" more than 13,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the United States during Joe Biden's term and whose whereabouts had been lost.
What measures did the Trump administration take after locating the migrant children?
The rescued children were deported to their countries of origin to reunite with their families or placed in foster homes under the supervision of HHS (Department of Health and Human Services). This action is part of a larger offensive aimed at eradicating child trafficking networks and improving "sponsor" investigation systems.
What criticisms is the Biden administration facing regarding its handling of migrant children?
The Biden administration has been accused of allowing "the largest human trafficking operation in modern history" by leaving "borders open" and encouraging irregular migration. The lack of tracking for over 320,000 migrant children is a key point of criticism.
What crimes have been associated with the sponsors of migrant children?
ICE arrested 422 sponsors allegedly linked to crimes such as child abuse, attempted homicide, and human trafficking. These cases underscore the importance of thoroughly investigating sponsors before granting them custody of minors.
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