Key Takeaways:
- Over 65,000 cases of immigrant children flagged for concern were not investigated by the Biden administration.
- These cases included potential human trafficking and fraud involving adult sponsors.
- Sen. Charles Grassley claims the administration prioritized releasing children quickly over addressing safety concerns.
- Nearly 500,000 unaccompanied children crossed the border under Biden’s presidency.
Title: Biden Administration Failed to Investigate 65,000 Cases of At-Risk Immigrant Children
Biden Administration Accused of Neglecting 65,000 At-Risk Immigrant Children
A shocking report has revealed that the Biden administration ignored 65,000 cases of immigrant children who were flagged as potentially unsafe after crossing the southern U.S. border. These cases included concerns about human trafficking and fraud, raising serious questions about the government’s handling of vulnerable children.
Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, shared documents from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that exposed the alarming oversight. The cases were reported by government workers and contractors whovetted unaccompanied immigrant children in U.S. custody.
Grassley, who leads the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticize the Biden administration for prioritizing the quick release of children to sponsors over investigating their safety. As a result, thousands of children were placed with adults without proper checks, putting them at risk of exploitation.
The Problem: 65,000 Flagged Cases Ignored
Between 2021 and 2024, more than 500,000 unaccompanied children crossed the border. Many were taken into custody by Border Patrol and then transferred to HHS. While in custody, HHS workers and contractors flagged 65,000 cases as concerning:
- 56,591 cases raised red flags about children’s safety.
- 7,346 cases involved potential human trafficking.
- 1,688 cases showed evidence of fraud, such as adults falsely claiming to be related to the children.
Despite these warnings, the Biden administration did not investigate these cases. Instead, they focused on quickly releasing children to sponsors, often without addressing the concerns raised by workers.
Grassley Demands Action
Sen. Grassley has long raised concerns about HHS’s handling of immigrant children. He argues that the agency’s Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is responsible for vetting sponsors, has failed to protect children.
In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Grassley wrote, “Not a single child should continue to suffer because of the previous administration’s failures.” He urged the agency to address the backlog of uninvestigated cases and improve oversight to prevent trafficking and exploitation.
A Pattern of Oversights
Grassley’s investigation also revealed that during Biden’s presidency, two-thirds of oversight subpoenas were ignored. Additionally, Biden officials reportedly instructed employees to refuse to answer questions, further hindering accountability.
These revelations have sparked outrage among lawmakers and advocates, who argue that the government’s failure to investigate these cases has put thousands of children in danger.
The Risks for Children
Immigrant children who cross the border alone are already vulnerable. When they are placed with unvetted sponsors, the risks of abuse, trafficking, and exploitation increase.
Grassley’s report highlights how the Biden administration’s priorities may have compromised the safety of these children. By ignoring red flags, the government may have inadvertently placed children in harmful situations.
What’s Next?
Grassley is pushing for transparency and accountability. He wants the Biden administration to investigate the 65,000 flagged cases and ensure that all children in U.S. custody are protected from harm.
Advocates agree that the government must do better to safeguard immigrant children. As the debate over border policies continues, the welfare of these vulnerable kids remains at the center of the discussion.
This shocking report raises critical questions about how the U.S. government handles the safety of immigrant children. With thousands of cases uninvestigated, the Biden administration faces growing pressure to act and ensure no child is left at risk.