Senator Chuck Grassley recently shared some pretty alarming findings from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It turns out that over 65,000 reports about unaccompanied minors in federal custody weren’t looked into during the Biden-Harris administration. These reports, flagged between 2021 and 2024, point to possible issues like abuse, human trafficking, and sponsor fraud.
Grassley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, got his hands on this information and shared it with the Washington Examiner. The backlog of these reports was discovered while the Trump administration was reviewing Biden-era immigration policies. They were particularly focused on how unaccompanied children were being released from HHS custody to adult sponsors in the U.S.
“Not a single child should continue to suffer because of the previous administration’s failures,” Grassley wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., pushing for a full investigation. The documents he reviewed showed that there were 56,591 flagged reports, 7,346 of which involved suspected human trafficking. Another 1,688 reports hinted at possible sponsor fraud.
Despite the staggering number of reports, only 528 leads were referred to federal law enforcement for investigation. The Trump administration has so far processed 28% of the backlog, leading to 528 leads, seven indictments, 11 arrests, and three convictions. The U.S. Attorney’s office has accepted 36 cases for prosecution, resulting in these legal actions.
Grassley sees these actions as a positive step towards protecting vulnerable children, though he notes that HHS reports still have 46,311 backlogged cases to tackle. His history of oversight on the treatment of unaccompanied minors dates back to the 2014 migrant child crisis under President Obama. Last year, he raised concerns again after seeing HHS contractor records suggesting kids were ending up with questionable sponsors.
Whistleblowers have backed up Grassley’s findings, indicating that the issues were not isolated to a single location. This raises the concern that thousands of children might have been put in danger by the Biden administration nationwide. During Biden’s time in office, more than 500,000 unaccompanied minors crossed the U.S.-Mexico border, a number higher than any previous administration.
Once these children were in U.S. custody, they were moved from Border Patrol agents to HHS care and then released to adults in the country. Grassley expressed his frustration over the lack of transparency and cooperation from the Biden-Harris administration in responding to oversight requests. “After I made this urgent inquiry, HHS under Secretary [Xavier] Becerra obstructed my investigation,” Grassley wrote.
In response to the backlog, the Trump administration launched a cross-agency initiative earlier this year. This initiative is focused on reviewing the flagged cases, with a priority on those involving trafficking and sponsor abuse. The goal is to find out which reports need immediate attention and potential prosecution.
Grassley is urging HHS to keep the public informed about the review process, including updates on the Trump administration’s progress. He’s also asking for details on any actions being taken to identify and dismantle trafficking networks that may have exploited the system. He wants HHS to explain its role in either facilitating or ignoring these reports and what measures will be taken to ensure the safety of these children.
The senator’s efforts highlight the need for accountability and transparency in handling such serious matters, especially when they involve the well-being of children. As the review continues, many are watching closely to see how these issues will be addressed and resolved. Grassley’s push for regular updates aims to ensure that this matter remains a priority until all concerns are adequately addressed.
Brittany Mays is a dedicated mother and passionate conservative news and opinion writer. With a sharp eye for current events and a commitment to traditional values, Brittany delivers thoughtful commentary on the issues shaping today’s world. Balancing her role as a parent with her love for writing, she strives to inspire others with her insights on faith, family, and freedom.