Two young migrant girls, ages five and nine, were abandoned by smugglers at the southern border in Texas this week. The smugglers fled back to Mexico as Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers came to the girls’ aid. The children, who are from El Salvador, carried only a note with an address and phone number. They were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for processing.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the ongoing crisis of unaccompanied minors crossing the border, often left vulnerable to danger by smugglers. Increasing numbers of these children have been arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent years, many carrying handwritten notes with contact details for relatives or potential sponsors in the U.S.
https://twitter.com/TomHoman_/status/1873341958896119847
Once apprehended, unaccompanied minors are typically transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and placed with sponsors, often relatives. However, the system has faced significant scrutiny for its inability to monitor the whereabouts and status of children after their release.
A report earlier this year from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General revealed alarming statistics. Between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) transferred over 448,000 unaccompanied children to HHS custody. Of these, more than 32,000 failed to appear for their scheduled immigration court hearings, and ICE could not account for their location. Additionally, 291,000 children have yet to be placed in removal proceedings due to procedural failures, including ICE’s inability to serve court notices.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for its handling of the surge in unaccompanied minors. Under its watch, over 500,000 unaccompanied children have entered the U.S., yet deportations remain strikingly low. In fiscal year 2024, ICE removed only 411 unaccompanied children, a slight increase from 212 in 2023 but far fewer than the 4,000 removed in 2022.
This crisis has reignited debates about border security, immigration policy, and the treatment of vulnerable children. Critics argue that lenient policies encourage smugglers and traffickers to exploit minors, putting them in perilous situations. Meanwhile, immigration enforcement agencies struggle to manage the overwhelming numbers.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House, his administration has promised to prioritize border security and crack down on illegal immigration. With millions of Americans concerned about the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis, the fate of these vulnerable children remains a pressing issue that demands immediate action.
Leave a Comment