Inspector General Raises Alarm over ICE’s Inability to Monitor Unaccompanied Minors
By Bethany Blankley (The Center Square)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General recently issued a management alert to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding a critical issue: ICE’s inability to effectively monitor the whereabouts of hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied children (UACs) released into the country by the Biden-Harris administration.
The alert highlighted that ICE lacks the capability to track the location and status of UACs once they are released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This poses a significant risk as it leaves these vulnerable children susceptible to trafficking, exploitation, and forced labor.
Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has called for further investigation into the oversight of UACs, emphasizing the dangers posed by lax vetting processes that have endangered these children and hindered the work of DHS.
The report revealed that ICE failed to initiate removal proceedings for a significant number of UACs transferred to the care of HHS, with 65% of UACs not receiving notices to appear before an immigration judge. This failure to follow proper procedures has left these children in legal limbo.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the majority of UACs – approximately 81% – were brought into the country, totaling around 366,000 between fiscal years 2021 and 2023. Despite federal laws mandating the issuance of notices for immigration court hearings, ICE neglected to provide NTAs to over 291,000 UACs who should have been placed in removal proceedings.
Furthermore, ICE’s inability to locate UACs who missed their immigration court dates has raised concerns about the agency’s oversight and resource limitations. The report highlighted that ICE must take immediate action to ensure the safety of these vulnerable children and implement corrective measures.
Senator Grassley and a group of senators have been actively pushing for reforms in oversight of UACs, especially in light of reports of sexual abuse and the alarming number of missing children. States like Texas, California, and Florida have received the highest number of UACs, with record numbers reported in fiscal year 2023.
It is imperative for ICE to address these deficiencies in monitoring and tracking UACs to prevent them from falling prey to exploitation and trafficking. The safety and well-being of these children must be a top priority for the agency.
