The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has acknowledged that some unaccompanied migrant children were placed in unsafe situations after arriving at the southern border. A recent report confirms that several minors were released to sponsors with serious criminal backgrounds, and in some disturbing cases, those sponsors allegedly impregnated the children.
The findings stem from ongoing welfare checks conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The checks were initiated following a surge in unaccompanied minors entering the U.S., during which officials accelerated releases from detention facilities that were reportedly overcrowded and unsafe.
Among the troubling discoveries were cases where children had been placed with adults previously charged with offenses such as child pornography, forced labor, drug trafficking, assault, and even attempted murder. In the most severe cases, investigators identified pregnant girls whose alleged sponsors were also listed as the fathers.
A spokesperson for ICE, Laszlo Baksay, emphasized that protecting children remains a top priority, stating, “Children’s safety and security is non-negotiable.” The department acknowledged that the rapid release policy, while aimed at reducing detention risks, inadvertently placed some minors in harm’s way.
Unaccompanied children who cross the border are meant to be cared for by vetted sponsors while pursuing legal immigration processes. However, the surge overwhelmed the existing infrastructure, leading to lapses in background checks and insufficient monitoring.
This situation highlights the complex and often high-risk nature of managing unaccompanied minors in the immigration system. DHS has not yet announced specific policy changes but indicated that further action may be taken to improve safeguards and accountability in the placement process. The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue reviewing the circumstances of released children across the country.
