ICE Criticized for Monitoring Migrant Children

An internal watchdog report from the Department of Homeland Security has revealed that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has lost track of over 32,000 unaccompanied migrant children who failed to report for their immigration court hearings. The report, issued by Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, emphasizes that without proper monitoring, these children are at risk of trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor. Over the past five years, more than 448,000 unaccompanied minors were transferred from ICE to the Department of Health and Human Services, but ICE has struggled to track their whereabouts after release. The report highlights staffing shortages at ICE as a critical issue impacting their ability to manage these cases effectively. ICE has acknowledged certain recommendations from the report but defended its practices, stating that it sometimes delays removal orders to allow children time to find legal representation. The implications of this oversight are significant, particularly as immigration remains a pivotal issue in upcoming U.S. elections.