Child Trafficking Likely Reason for Nearly 1,500 Migrant Children Missing After HHS Placement
The U.S. government's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has lost 1,475 migrant children in 2017 that were under its care. They were placed in the custody of adult sponsors after they arrived unaccompanied by their parents, alone at the U.S. border, fleeing violence from Central American countries.
Source
From October to December 2017 HHS followed up on the placement of the children to discover that out of 7,635 children placed, there were only 6,075 still living with their sponsors. 28 had run away, 5 deports, 52 living somewhere else, and the rest (1,475) were missing. That's nearly 20% vanishing without a trace. Child protection policies for minors escaping violence in Central America had been rolled back in 2016 which resulted in a more falling into the hands of human traffickers.
Sometimes, these so -called "sponsors" have taken in several other children, which indicates potential child trafficking. Many adult sponsors don't go through proper background checks by government officials, and rarely have their homes visited. Many children end up sexually assaulted, starved or force to work for little or no pay (slave labor).
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) has brought this issue to light after investigating a case of 8 Guatemalan teens who were working on egg farms under threat of death. Six people involved that human trafficking case were convicted and sentenced to prison. He chairs the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations lookinginto the HHS failures, and said "these kids, regardless of their immigration status, deserve to be treated properly, not abused or trafficked."
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware), also on the panel, said "it’s unacceptable that we can still be this bad at keeping track of these children."
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen has recently made a statement about current U.S. policy that doesn't help migrant children stay safe from predators:
"My decision has been that anyone who breaks the law will be prosecuted," she said. "If you are parent, or you're a single person or if you happen to have a family, if you cross between the ports of entry we will refer you for prosecution. You have broken U.S. law."
In a way, this is saying that if you come to the U.S. illegally and you get caught, you won't see your children again, and neither will the government as the children get put into the hands of human traffickers after the HHS gets a hand on them after 2 days in custody.
Slavery is still going strong, as human trafficking is apparently the most profitable next to drug trafficking. Sex trafficking and sex slavery is also a big industry that happens, even in the land of the free. We just don't see these things happening so we don't think it's there, but it is.
Homeless children are easy targets within the country, as no one will notice they are gone. The same happens with unaccompanied migrant children who are all alone when they get to the border. Children who are fleeing violence in other countries think the U.S. is a safe place for them to run to, but many find out a new hell that may be just as bad or worse than the violence they were running away from.
References:
- US lost track of 1,500 immigrant children, but says it's not 'legally responsible'
- Federal Agencies Lost Track of Nearly 1,500 Migrant Children Placed With Sponsors
- Almost 1,500 Migrant Children Placed in Homes by the U.S. Government Went Missing Last Year
- Government Has 'Lost' 1,475 Unaccompanied Minors It Apprehended at the U.S. Border
- Homeland Security chief defends policy that separates families entering U.S. illegally
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Such a sad world out there . How can people be so heartless and why doesn’t anyone do anything about it
Welcome to reality.
Let us continue to spread the word.
I was going to write about this but I guess a resteem is in order. The truly frightening thing here is that there is obviously mobster activity going on, but they only imprison and make examples of the small fish with no connections. We only ever experience the tip of the iceberg.
Yup, it all gets washed away under the rug after a bit of spotlight on the crud :/
Recent cases of trafficking and exploitation targeting minors are becoming increasingly alarming. The new mode now is to ensnare children in the practice of prostitution and then exploit them for the sake of the economy, either by putting in a bad work environment until a fake work internship program abroad
Yeah it's serious stuff that many people think isn't a part of their country or community, but it;s lurking around many corners :/
I couldn’t imagine the awful state of mind people are in to traffick children, abuse them, kill them and enslave them. It really is the most disgusting aspect of humanity. No one should be subjected to these horrors, never mind an innocent child! Ugh
Yup, the world is a fucked up place.
More content like this needs to be brought to the attention of the masses. Raising awareness and encouraging people to speak up when they have valid concerns is a giant leap in the right direction. These tragic acts occur just as much as the drug busts and raids that plague the front pages of almost every major news paper these days yet the average person is clueless about the problem. Thank you @krnel for taking the time to post this..
Yes, human trafficking is a dark part of society, and children are exploited a more than adults... :/ You're welcome/
Oh my. We live everyday in peace and happiness, not knowing what goes on in the outside world. Many innocents are suffering, even for what they didn't bargain for. And when all these is revealed, we get shocked and surprised, and wonder if such exists. We therefore hope, to salvation from this evil creeping in our society. And doing all our best in trying all our best to eradicate this evil.
Yes, it's a shocker indeed.
WTF is wrong with people. These so called sponsors should be thrown in a dark cell where no one ever visits them, talks to them and should not be allowed to die. Just enough food to survive and a hole to shit.
LOL, that's one way to go about it ;)
this is actually a global problem, there are many causes of child trafficking but among these is the shortage of employment opportunities or that these are not well paid, in the same way there are many CPS workers for their own interests
It's actually a massive problem in the UK. I read a nasty series of post a few months ago that nearly made me physically sick at the dark side of humanity.
How can people be so heartless and why doesn’t anyone do anything about it
Everyone always thinks it's someone else's responsibility. What can you and I do to actually help stop this? I say this talking to myself as much as all those wanting someone to do something... I'm sincerely wonder what can be done by us.