The crisis at the U.S. border has been a growing concern, with the Biden administration’s policies only exacerbating the situation.
One of the most alarming aspects of this crisis is the treatment of unaccompanied migrant children, who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) have joined forces with a group of their colleagues to introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at overturning a Biden administration rule that puts these children at even greater risk.
Read: Tennessee Sen. Blackburn, California Sens Demand Answers On Spotify’s Royalty Slashing Moves
The Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program, run by the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), is intended to reunite unaccompanied migrant children with family members or other trusted adult sponsors residing in the U.S.
However, the current policies and practices in place fail to adequately protect these vulnerable children from potential abuse and exploitation.
One of the most concerning aspects of the HHS rule that the senators are seeking to overturn is the lack of rigorous sponsor vetting. The rule allows for lax or optional vetting of sponsors, disregarding crucial factors such as criminal records, drug use history, and past instances of abuse or neglect.
Another problematic element of the rule is the refusal to share a sponsor’s immigration status with law enforcement. This effectively shields potential abusers from scrutiny and accountability, putting the well-being of the children at risk.
The rule also establishes weak standards for post-release home studies, making it difficult to determine the safety and well-being of the children once they are in the custody of a sponsor. This lack of robust monitoring leaves the door open for continued exploitation and mistreatment.
“The unfortunate reality is that the Biden Administration’s border crisis is both a humanitarian and a national security disaster of historic magnitude. This rule is the latest in a series of inhumane, reckless policies that only pour fuel on the fire. Instead of enabling cartels and other bad actors to traffic and exploit more innocent children, it’s well past time to secure the border and end the lawlessness,” said Senator Britt. “I’ll continue to stand up to President Biden’s dangerous agenda, which is putting American families and vulnerable migrants in harm’s way every single day.”
“The Biden administration ignored warnings from Congress and the Inspector General that its policies put children at risk and instead moved to finalize its current rule. Biden’s Health and Human Services Department has lost tens of thousands of vulnerable kids and handed over many others to abusers and criminals. This exploitation is one of the most heartbreaking tragedies the Biden Border Crisis has created. Since the Biden administration has refused to lift a finger to fix this problem, it’s now up to Congress to put a stop to it,” said Senator Grassley.
Read: Border Officers Intercept 12 Pounds, $234K Worth Of Heroin At Texas Entry Port
The CRA resolution introduced by Senators Britt and Grassley has far-reaching implications beyond the immediate impact on the UAC program. It represents a broader effort to hold the Biden administration accountable for its policies that have exacerbated the humanitarian and national security crisis at the border.
By addressing the shortcomings of the HHS rule, the CRA resolution aims to restore integrity and accountability to the immigration system, ensuring that vulnerable migrant children are not subjected to further exploitation and abuse.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.