In a letter today (9/26/24), Daines and many other Republican senators call out Biden-Harris failures to protect unaccompanied migrant children. They wrote:
“As a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by VP Harris, who was tasked with ‘stemming migration’ at our border with Mexico, more than 500,000 unaccompanied alien children (UACs) have crossed the southwest border without a parent or guardian to provide care since you took office, a massive increase when compared to previous administrations. These UACs often experience horrible sexual, physical and emotional abuse on the journey and are victims of cartel trafficking and exploitation, a business that surged an estimated 2500% from the Trump Administration to the middle of your term in 2022 …
“Your Administration further stripped Customs and Border Protection officials of their ability to conduct familial DNA testing, as was implemented by the Trump Administration to verify adults’ claims that they are related to children they bring across the border. This made the smuggling and trafficking of these kids that much easier. Early into your term, your Administration also cancelled protections the Trump Administration proposed to provide post-release services for all children placed with sponsors, including in-person visits and extended follow-up after placement. These protections would have helped ensure children were safe. Instead, the actions of your Administration have been disastrous and now, HHS ORR is actively attempting to cover up the results of its egregious decisions. We call upon you to put an end to that cover-up.”
