Memphis Standard

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) has addressed a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Patrick Lechleitner, demanding explanations regarding a recent report by the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG). The report indicates that ICE lost track of at least 32,000 unaccompanied migrant children (UCs), with the number potentially rising to as many as 323,000.

The OIG report confirms that ICE lost track of 32,000 UCs who did not appear for their immigration court hearings. Additionally, an estimated 291,000 UCs were not placed in removal proceedings and were never given court dates. Without a formal policy to follow up on these cases, the total number of unaccounted-for children could be significantly higher.

"On your department’s watch, tens of thousands of migrant children are now missing—leaving them highly vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation," Blackburn stated. "This is just the latest failure of the Biden-Harris border crisis that continues to unfold."

Blackburn emphasized that ICE transferred more than 448,000 UCs to the custody of Health and Human Services (HHS) over five years. Of those children, more than 32,000 failed to appear for their immigration court dates. Moreover, due to ICE's failure to issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) for over 291,000 children not placed in removal proceedings, these individuals did not have scheduled court dates.

"It is ICE’s duty to safely transfer UCs to HHS after they are initially taken into custody by border agents—as well as manage and monitor their immigration cases," Blackburn continued. "Yet... you have failed in your most basic duty to keep these children safe from harm."

Senator Blackburn also highlighted previous shortcomings under the Biden administration concerning migrant children's safety. She referenced reports indicating that HHS lost track of at least 85,000 migrant children under its care.

"This tragedy is not surprising given the Biden-Harris administration’s past failures with respect to the well-being and safety of migrant children," she remarked.

According to the OIG report covering Fiscal Year 2019 through 2023, ICE may have lost track of up to 323,000 unaccompanied minors either because they failed to attend their court hearings or were never assigned a court date due to procedural lapses.

Last year’s revelations showed HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra ignored warnings about potential exploitation risks for missing children under his department's supervision—a situation which remains unresolved despite inquiries from Senator Blackburn.

For further details on this issue and access Senator Blackburn's full letter:

- READ: Blackburn Puts HHS On Blast: ‘Nothing Compassionate About Turning A Blind Eye To The Victimization Of Children’

- WATCH: Senator Blackburn Presses Becerra Over Losing Migrant Children Coming Into The U.S.

- READ: Blackburn Slams HHS Over Missing Migrant Children Response; Demands Honesty

Click here to view the full letter.