Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani, the only Mexican-born member of the House Republican Conference, joined his colleagues Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) and Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04) in introducing legislation last week to increase vetting requirements and improve screenings for sponsors of unaccompanied children at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In May, Congressman Ciscomani led a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) demanding answers from the agencies on their processes for placing children with sponsors. The inquiry came after a report revealed cases of abuse suffered by migrant children after being placed with sponsors and leaving federal custody. 

“As illegal border crossings continue, we have seen innocent unaccompanied children endure a cycle of abuse at the hands of cartels and human traffickers,” said Ciscomani. “As an immigrant myself and a dad to six, it is devastating to see these children slip through the cracks — 85,000 according to recent reports — after leaving HHS and DHS custody, leaving them subject to more heinous exploitation. By bolstering the vetting process for sponsors of these children, we take an extra step – one that was previously ignored – to ensure they are placed in safe, caring homes.”

Specifically, the bill would direct HHS to establish additional procedures when placing unaccompanied children who are in federal custody with sponsors. These increased requirements include:

• Criminal records check for all sponsors;
• Consultation with relevant law enforcement agencies about a prospective sponsor’s criminal activity;
• Notification to state and local governments of the decision to place a child with a sponsor that lives within their jurisdiction; and
• Intelligence sharing related to a child’s or prospective sponsor’s involvement in a transnational criminal organization.

"Current law clearly requires the administration to repatriate unaccompanied children to their last residence or home country. However, Secretary Mayorkas’ has repeatedly stated that they will not expel young children who have crossed the border alone," said Garbarino. "This failure to enforce the law encourages an increasing number of entries and puts these children in danger by creating a situation where officials are placing them in the custody of hastily vetted sponsors. Once there, they could be forced into child labor, sex trafficking, or transnational gangs like MS-13 on Long Island. The Protecting UACs Through Enhanced Sponsor Vetting Act of 2023 would require more stringent vetting of sponsors so that these kids don't fall victim to gang recruitment schemes which bolster the ranks of criminal enterprises and further endanger migrants and American citizens alike."   

"As the border crisis continues to impact communities across the country, it is critical that the federal government takes steps to prevent unaccompanied migrant children from being exploited by cartels and gangs," said D'Esposito. "I am proud to co-sponsor this important legislation that will strengthen screenings for sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children and help prevent nefarious organizations from abusing such vulnerable people."

Read full text of the bill here.

Original source can be found here.