The Trump administration has located 146,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, officials announced Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed the figure during a press conference at the Department of Justice headquarters. Mullin stated that nearly 300,000 children remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about the Biden administration's handling of the crisis.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
The Trump administration has located 146,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, officials announced Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche revealed the figure during a press conference at the Department of Justice headquarters. Mullin stated that nearly 300,000 children remain unaccounted for, raising concerns about the Biden administration's handling of the crisis.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Background on the Crisis
Under the Biden administration, over 10 million foreigners were apprehended attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, including more than half a million unaccompanied minors. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement was responsible for placing these children with vetted sponsors. However, a 2023 New York Times report found that 88,000 children were lost track of under Biden. A February 2024 audit by the HHS Office of Inspector General revealed significant gaps in oversight, including:
- 22% of children did not receive timely well-being follow-up calls.
- 16% of case files lacked proof that sponsors underwent safety checks.
- 19% of children were released to adults before FBI fingerprint and state child abuse registry results were shared.
Trump Administration's Response
Mullin criticized the Biden administration's handling of the crisis, describing it as either 'true neglect at best and criminal at worst.' The Trump administration has been working since last summer to locate the missing children, increasing the number found from 22,000 to 146,000. Officials emphasized the ongoing effort to track down the remaining 300,000 unaccounted children.