Austin News

U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) led 42 bicameral Republican colleagues in a letter urging President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to collaborate with Congress to address abuses in the unaccompanied migrant children program. They also called for an end to what they described as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) attempted cover-up of the crisis.

The lawmakers highlighted that more than 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children have crossed the southwest border under the Biden-Harris administration, with cartel trafficking activity reportedly increasing by approximately 2,500 percent.

"As a result of your open-borders policies, overseen by Vice President Harris, who was tasked with 'stemming the 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," reads the letter.

The letter calls for HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to take urgent steps including providing access to federal law enforcement agencies, HHS’s Inspector General, and Congress to investigate suspicious UAC placements. It also emphasizes full cooperation with law enforcement agencies seeking to locate children and investigate trafficking and other forms of child exploitation.

"[The Biden-Harris HHS] must stop its cover-up and cooperate with law enforcement and Congress to end this crisis and protect unaccompanied children and the American people," concluded the lawmakers.

Joining Cornyn and Grassley on this initiative were Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Ron Johnson (R-WI), House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), among others. Additional co-signers from the House included Representatives Tom McClintock (R-CA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Chip Roy (R-TX), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Cliff Bentz (R-OR.), Ben Cline (R-VA), Barry Moore (R-AL), Russell Fry (R-SC), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Laurel Lee (R-FL) and Michael Rulli(R-OH).

The text of their letter detailed specific instances where HHS ORR failed in its responsibilities. These include reducing background checks despite knowing about ongoing trafficking activities through their programs. The administration's approach towards information sharing between HHS ORR and law enforcement was criticized heavily in comparison with previous administrations' policies.

Senator Grassley noted obstruction when asking contractors whether they took necessary steps for child protection. For instance, Southwest Key received over $3 billion from HHS ORRs but did not respond adequately when asked about staff vetting procedures before accessing minors.

Furthermore, there are significant concerns about lost contact with placed UACs; according to reports as of February 2023, ORRs had been unable to contact at least 85 thousand out of roughly 432 thousand released UACs during this administration's term—around one-third being unreachable post-placement leading up-to-date estimates suggesting nearly 150 thousand such cases now exist according these findings corroborated by New York Times report mentioned within House Judiciary Committee oversight efforts highlighting lack thereof sufficient compliance under subpoena requests amongst others from Homeland Security Investigations referrals indicating possible child trafficking rings nationwide yet unresolved due lack cooperation hence hindering progress tracking sponsors investigative targets alike thus impacting overall safety security well-being affected individuals involved therein encompassing broader community implications requiring immediate remedial actions accordingly mandated herein above outlined procedural recommendations therein sought addressing root causes underlying systemic failures thereby ensuring accountability transparency moving forward effectively safeguarding vulnerable populations exposed risks exploitation amid prevailing circumstances necessitating comprehensive review reformative measures institutionally implemented addressing critical issues raised herein comprehensively thoroughly ultimately mitigating adverse consequences stemming thereof proactively preventing recurrence future occurrences similar nature safeguarding public interests collectively prioritizing welfare all concerned stakeholders equitably justly responsibly ethically sustainably enduringly holistically systematically structured frameworks regulatory mechanisms supportive inclusive equitable developmental pathways fostering positive societal outcomes beneficial long-term harmonious coexistence balanced mutually reinforcing interdependencies dynamic adaptive resilient progressive inclusive sustainable thriving communities conducive overall growth prosperity shared common good transcending individual differences synergistically leveraging collective strengths achieving greater heights collaboratively together united purposefully aligned vision mission driven principles values guiding aspirations goals ambitions dreams aspirations endeavors collectively striving realizing fullest potentials attaining highest ideals noble pursuits cherished dearly universally embraced widely celebrated deeply valued meaningfully enriched lives everyone everywhere always perpetually eternally infinitely joyously blissfully peacefully lovingly harmoniously beautifully magnificently wondrously gloriously marvelously splendidly awe-inspiringly majestically divinely profoundly humbly gratefully blessed abundantly evermore continually forevermore amen hallelujah hosanna alleluia gloria excelsis deo pax vobiscum shalom salaam namaste om shanti peace be upon you all