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DHS Report Reveals Over 43,000 Migrant Children Unaccounted For After Release

Federal agencies face criticism for failing to track unaccompanied minors, leaving thousands vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.

  • A DHS Inspector General report confirms ICE cannot monitor the location or safety of tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children released to sponsors.
  • Between 2019 and 2023, over 31,000 children were released to incomplete or unverifiable addresses, raising concerns about trafficking and forced labor.
  • Over 233,000 children remain without Notices to Appear in court, and more than 43,000 who received notices have missed their court dates as of March 2025.
  • The majority of unaccompanied minors were released to sponsors in ten states, with Texas, California, and Florida receiving the highest numbers.
  • The DHS has issued four recommendations to address systemic failures, including improving inter-agency communication and reducing the backlog of unserved court notices.
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