The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has come under pressure after it was revealed that the agency has lost touch with large numbers of migrant children, sparking concerns over their safety and well-being.

Reports indicate that thousands of unaccompanied children are at risk due to inadequate monitoring after release to adult sponsors, with the Biden administration now under fire for the failures, as Breitbart reports.

An inquiry by the HHS inspector general uncovered that many unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have gone missing from the radar after being handed over to adult sponsors under Secretary Xavier Becerra's leadership. This discovery has thrown HHS into the limelight, underlining a period of oversight challenges regarding child migrants.

Migrant Child Safety Concerns Increase

From Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 through FY 2023, HHS oversaw the release of 365,705 UACs into the U.S. This number marks a significant increase from the period at the tail end of the Trump administration, where approximately 83,100 children were released similarly.

HHS has faced criticism not only for the sheer volume but also for the gaps in follow-ups. In a critical analysis, HHS failed to conduct proper follow-up safety checks in 22% of cases, leaving unaccompanied minors potentially exposed to danger.

The challenges within the system are multifold. For instance, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly did not issue crucial Notices to Appear (NTAs) in many cases. This has raised alarm about the ability of authorities to monitor the children's whereabouts and safety effectively.

HHS Response Under Scrutiny

Becerra has been repeatedly questioned about the department's handling of these issues. During interactions with Congress, Becerra's acknowledgment of the challenges facing the program has been a focal point.

In response to pointed questions about potential changes in the department's processes, Becerra stated the importance of continually working to enhance the program. He acknowledged that managing the care of these children poses significant challenges, expressing, "we do the best we can" to ensure their safety.

However, these efforts acknowledged by Becerra have not fully placated critics. Lawmakers like Rep. Chip Roy of Texas have specifically grilled Becerra on the department's ability to assure the safety of the children under its watch.

Future Steps and Challenges

The IG's review also highlighted the need for improvements in issuing NTAs. This shortfall renders ICE less efficient in locating and ensuring the welfare of UACs.

ICE's failure to issue NTAs to over 291,000 UACs in recent years underscores a significant systemic gap. This has limited the agency’s ability to protect the children from serious risks including trafficking and abuse. Notably, as various officials have pointed out, this issue isn't simply administrative but also deeply human, concerning the basic protection of vulnerable minors.

Reports of Child Labor Trafficking Rise

The concerns over the safety of these children are not abstract; they are compounded by real-world consequences. The Department of Labor reported an 88% surge in incidents of child labor trafficking compared to numbers from FY 2019.

In chilling findings, nearly 6,000 migrant children were uncovered in dangerous working conditions last year alone. Many of these children were reportedly thrust into life-threatening scenarios, underscoring the severe vulnerabilities of UACs.

These statistics are bolstered by alarming testimonies, such as that from an HHS whistleblower. They accused the agency of inadvertently facilitating trafficking by failing to vet sponsors rigorously, describing the process alarmingly as a “multi-billion-dollar child trafficking operation.”

Congressional Concerns Mount

Congress has responded with a sharp emotional and practical edge, pushing for deeper inquiry. Lawmakers have forcefully questioned Becerra and his team about the fate of the vast number of untraceable children.

Legislators like Rep. Tom Tiffany have asked pointedly about potential reforms in managing these cases. Despite acknowledging the distressing circumstances, Becerra stated the department’s focus on continuous improvement and handling each case with care during custody.

Although Becerra has highlighted the department's efforts, lawmakers are calling for more robust solutions to ensure that these children are not put into precarious situations following their release from custody.

Evaluations Continue Amid Uncertainty

As oversight bodies continue to evaluate the processes and outcomes in this realm, there remains significant uncertainty. The questions about efficiency and effectiveness of current systems persist in policy discussions.

The magnitude of the issue and its implications have left many stakeholders vigilant, urging for reforms and reliable safeguards. The emotional and political stakes underscore the need for an effective strategy.

Ultimately, the safety and security of unaccompanied minors released into the U.S. remain a pivotal concern, echoing well beyond administrative discussions into the realm of moral and ethical responsibility.