Between October 2018 and September 2023, countless children arrived in the United States seeking safety and a better life, only to be released into the arms of “qualified sponsors.” 

These were not the safe, loving homes we hope for—they were unvetted and often risky placements. A staggering number of these children have no scheduled dates to appear in immigration court, meaning that the government has effectively severed ties with these vulnerable minors. They are now at serious risk of sex trafficking, forced labor, and other horrific forms of exploitation.

Consider the implications of this report. A whistleblower within federal agencies has stated that she is deeply concerned for the safety of these children, many of whom might already be in the hands of criminals and sex traffickers. The stark reality is that these children, once filled with hope, are now pawns in a sinister game of exploitation.

Some of the most disturbing findings detail how non-family sponsors are hosting multiple migrant children at once—344 unaccompanied minors have been reported to be living with such sponsors. This raises alarm bells about potential trafficking networks taking advantage of a broken system. 

With children reportedly found in exploitative work conditions—such as slaughterhouses and factories—what more evidence do we need to realize the sheer scale of this crisis?