Data from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) reveals significant issues with the safety monitoring of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) under the Biden administration. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has lost contact with a considerable number of these children after they were transferred to sponsors.
• Statistics: From January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023, HHS lost contact with 112,872 UACs—48% of those transferred to sponsors—making it impossible to assess their safety and whereabouts.
• Sponsorship Program: The UAC sponsorship program aimed to place children with family members or non-relatives instead of detaining them during immigration proceedings.
• Exploitation Concerns: Reports surfaced in 2023 that many UACs faced exploitation and unsafe conditions after being placed with sponsors.
• Safety Follow-Up: HHS had a policy requiring a follow-up call 30 days after a UAC's release to check on their safety and situation, but many cases went uncontacted.
• Continued Program: Despite the high number of lost contacts in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, HHS did not change its policies, raising concerns for UACs transferred in subsequent years.
• Ongoing Litigation: CIS is pursuing additional Freedom of Information Act requests to gather more detailed data on lost UAC cases and their sponsors across different categories.
The findings indicate serious shortcomings in the oversight of UAC transfers, with a significant percentage of children unaccounted for and potentially at risk of harm. Efforts for accountability and more updated data are ongoing.
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