The recent revelations about the handling of migrant children by the Biden-Harris administration have sparked widespread concern. According to data released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and brought to light by Senator Chuck Grassley, over 11,000 migrant children were placed with unvetted sponsors. These placements were made without conducting necessary background checks, including fingerprinting, which is a clear violation of federal law.
Senator Grassley, a prominent figure in the Senate Judiciary Committee, has been vocal about these alarming findings. He emphasized that “NUMBERS DON’T LIE,” pointing out that the previous administration’s management of the migrant child program was severely flawed. His statements highlight the risks that these children were exposed to under the current administration’s policies.
The mishandling doesn’t stop at placements. A staggering 79,000 children under the age of 12 were placed without the required home studies. These studies are crucial for child safety, meant to protect them from predators and traffickers. The fact that such measures were ignored is a testament to the administration’s negligence.
Moreover, a letter from HHS to Senator Grassley disclosed that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has accumulated 65,000 “Notices of Concern” between 2021 and 2024. These notices include serious reports of missing children, abuse, and even sex trafficking. The law mandates that these reports be addressed within 24 hours, but the administration failed to act.
Instead of dealing with these concerns, the Biden-Harris administration focused on clearing overcrowded detention centers. In their haste, they placed children with sponsors who were not properly vetted, compromising their safety. The HHS data summary reveals that from January 2021 to January 2025, 11,488 children were placed in potentially dangerous situations.
The federal statute 8 U.S.C. 1232(c)(3)(A) clearly requires background checks, including FBI fingerprinting. Ignoring such laws is not just a bureaucratic oversight; it endangers vulnerable children. More than one in ten migrant children were placed in households without confirming the adults’ backgrounds.
The situation turned even more dire as HHS’s own watchdog reported over 1,600 cases of fraud and trafficking in FY 2024. These cases involved sponsors and even parents from the children’s countries of origin. It was only after Senator Grassley’s persistent questioning that the ORR initiated a “whole-of-government initiative” in February 2025.
This initiative, however, comes years after the damage has been done. The administration’s reliance on emergency influx facilities, like the one in Pomona, California, to house children in 2021, further underscores the chaos. Grassley has been clear in stating that the administration prioritized optics over the welfare of children.
In a statement, Grassley expressed his appreciation for the Trump administration’s efforts to rectify these issues. He remains committed to oversight, ensuring that such mishandling does not occur again. His dedication to exposing the failures of the current administration is a step towards justice for the affected children.
The Biden-Harris administration’s approach to the border crisis has been fraught with missteps. These recent findings only add to the growing list of concerns about their handling of immigration policies. As more information comes to light, the need for accountability becomes even more pressing.
The placement of children in unsafe conditions is a grave matter that demands immediate attention. The administration’s disregard for legal protocols has put countless young lives at risk. It’s imperative that changes are made to protect these vulnerable individuals.
Reading the HHS letter to Grassley and the accompanying data summary paints a disturbing picture. The current administration’s failures have been laid bare, and the call for reform is louder than ever. As these issues continue to unfold, the focus must remain on safeguarding the children caught in the crossfire.
Senator Grassley’s relentless pursuit of truth has been instrumental in bringing these issues to the forefront. His commitment to ensuring the safety of these children is commendable. The hope is that with continued oversight, such negligence will be prevented in the future.
