Tyler Reporter

Washington – Congressman Lance Gooden has called for immediate reforms from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following a report revealing the misplacement and potential loss of over 300,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs). According to Gooden, the Biden-Harris Administration has mishandled the border crisis, compromising the safety and welfare of thousands of children amid unprecedented illegal crossings.

Since the Biden-Harris Administration took office, border issues have intensified with over 473,145 UAC crossings reported. The DHS report indicates that more than half of these children may be unaccounted for due to failures by DHS and Health and Human Services (HHS). Specifically, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lost track of at least 32,000 UACs who did not appear for their immigration court hearings. An additional 291,000 children may be unaccounted for after ICE failed to place them in removal proceedings or issue court dates.

"The Biden-Harris Administration's lax border policies have turned our southern border into a lawless zone, directly contributing to human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable children," Rep. Gooden stated. "This is not merely a failure of policy but a severe moral failing of our government."

Findings from the DHS Office of Inspector General highlight systematic breakdowns in safeguarding unaccompanied minors from trafficking and abuse. The scale of this crisis suggests an administration that is both unprepared and unwilling to protect vulnerable individuals. According to Gooden, these failures will require decades of anti-trafficking efforts as well as educational, healthcare, and welfare initiatives to address the damage done.

"Under President Biden and Kamala Harris's watch, our southern border has become a gateway for traffickers and cartels exploiting children for profit. This administration’s policies serve the interests of criminals, not the American people or the innocent children caught in this bureaucratic nightmare," Rep. Gooden added.

Read the full letter here: [Permalink](https://gooden.house.gov/2024/9/release-rep-lance-gooden-demands-answers-from-the-biden-harris-administration-for-over-300-000-missing-children)