Concerns Over Missing Immigrant Children Highlighted by Border Patrol Chief
Gregory Bovino, the border patrol chief for the El Centro Sector in California, recently spoke on Fox News’ “Ingraham Angle.” He revealed that some children discovered in recent U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are connected to the estimated 300,000 immigrant children who have gone missing since the Biden administration began.
In a separate incident on Thursday, ICE conducted a raid on a marijuana farm in Southern California. During this operation, they enforced a search warrant and found 10 juvenile undocumented immigrants, eight of whom were unaccompanied. Laura Ingraham, while discussing the chaos of the operation, inquired about the background of one of the boys featured in a released image.
Bovino responded, stating, “The boys in that photo aren’t accompanied by any sponsors. As we uncovered a few years back, some crossed the border and then vanished.” He continued, “These are those missing children—the 300,000 we’ve been tracking.” He emphasized the urgency of the situation, pondering the fate of these kids, their living conditions, and their circumstances outside of work.
Another whistleblower, Tara Rodas, later brought concerns to lawmakers about the Biden administration’s handling of the Refugee Resettlement Office and their oversight of immigrant child sponsors.
In the latest report from the Homeland Security Bureau’s Inspector General’s office, it’s noted that, despite the ongoing border crisis, ICE struggles to monitor all unaccompanied children released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services.
This alarming figure of 300,000 missing children has raised red flags among experts and whistleblowers, who are worried these children might fall victim to forced labor, sex trafficking, or worse.
Bovino reflected on the experiences of the past four years, stating, “We’ve witnessed millions flowing across the border, including many children,” emphasizing the troubling incidents occurring at the border.
While the previous administration had a more stringent approach to illegal immigration, ICE operations have escalated across the nation. Increased scrutiny is now directed toward major cities where local protests have challenged enforcement efforts amid the present administration’s border policies. During the Thursday operation, officials reported, “Over 500 individuals attempted to interfere with our work,” and noted that “One violent figure even discharged a weapon at law enforcement.” The FBI has since announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the violence.
Ultimately, former ICE Director Tom Homan mentioned on Fox News that approximately 10,000 children have been rescued, yet around 300,000 are still presumed unaccompanied.
