As the federal agent who exposed the systematic failure in protecting migrant children in 2015, I've witnessed firsthand how our government's broken processes have enabled thousands of vulnerable children to vanish into the hands of unvetted sponsors, some with criminal backgrounds. The potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services presents a crucial opportunity to finally address this ongoing humanitarian crisis that has plagued our nation for over a decade.
While public attention frequently focuses on HHS's healthcare responsibilities, few Americans realize that this department, through its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), bears ultimate responsibility for the safety of unaccompanied migrant children. This dual mandate creates a unique challenge that requires immediate attention and reform, particularly given the current administration's dangerous dismantling of critical child protection measures.
The scope of this crisis cannot be overstated. In 2015, I decided to blow the whistle on a system that literally handed children over to criminals. As a federal agent with years of experience in immigration enforcement, I had witnessed numerous systemic failures, but none as egregious as watching our government knowingly place children in harm's way. My revelations, combined with Senator Chuck Grassley's subsequent investigation, led to the implementation of essential vetting procedures in 2016, including mandatory fingerprinting and background checks for potential sponsors.
The path these children take through our system illustrates the complexity of the problem. It begins with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where children are initially processed after crossing the border. They are then transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody before being handed over to HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement. Finally, they reach HHS-contracted facilities, which are responsible for placing them with sponsors. At each transition point, there should be robust protections in place. Instead, the current administration has created a pipeline where children are rapidly released to sponsors without proper vetting.
The 2016 reforms we achieved weren't just bureaucratic changes – they were vital safeguards protecting children from trafficking and exploitation. These measures included comprehensive background checks, fingerprint requirements, and verification of sponsor relationships. Most importantly, they worked. The enhanced vetting procedures successfully identified numerous potential sponsors with criminal histories, preventing children from being placed in dangerous situations.
However, the Biden administration's decision to dismantle these protections almost immediately upon taking office has returned us to the dangerous status quo that prompted my whistleblowing in the first place. This regression in policy has had predictable and tragic consequences: thousands of children have again disappeared into the shadows, potentially falling victim to labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, or worse.
The current situation bears striking similarities to what I witnessed in 2015. Back then, I discovered that HHS was not properly vetting sponsors, leading to children being placed with individuals who had criminal histories, including violent crimes and sexual offenses. The system was so broken that there were cases where sponsors had submitted multiple applications to receive children, raising red flags about potential trafficking operations. Yet, these applications were still being approved.
RFK Jr.'s priority at HHS must be to reinstate and strengthen these vital protections. This isn't just about border security or immigration policy – it's about preventing children from disappearing into a system that fails to protect them. The solution requires immediate action on multiple fronts:
1. Reinstate mandatory fingerprinting for all potential sponsors, not just those deemed "high risk"
2. Implement comprehensive background checks that include state and local criminal databases
3. Establish cross-referencing protocols with criminal databases to identify repeat sponsorship applications
4. Require verification of sponsor relationships through documentary evidence
5. Institute mandatory post-placement wellness checks
6. Create a tracking system to monitor children's whereabouts and well-being after placement
7. Establish accountability measures for facilities that fail to follow proper vetting procedures
8. Implement regular audits of sponsor applications and placement decisions
9. Develop coordination protocols between CBP, ICE, and HHS to ensure no children fall through the cracks
The thousands of children who have disappeared under the current system aren't just statistics – they represent real lives at risk of exploitation, trafficking, and abuse. As someone who has dedicated my career to law enforcement and child protection, I can attest that the current situation represents a catastrophic failure of our government's most basic duty: protecting the vulnerable in our care.
Kennedy's appointment to HHS would represent an opportunity to correct this tragic course. While his healthcare reforms will undoubtedly receive significant attention, his most urgent task must address this ongoing humanitarian crisis. The infrastructure for proper vetting exists – it merely requires the political will to implement it.
The American people deserve to know that their government is not complicit in enabling child trafficking through negligent oversight. As the whistleblower who exposed these dangers years ago, I can say with authority that the current situation is untenable. RFK Jr. has the opportunity to demonstrate that America can maintain its humanitarian obligations and its commitment to child safety.
The time for action is now. These children cannot afford to wait for bureaucratic deliberations or political calculations. Every day without proper vetting procedures puts more children at risk. Kennedy must make this a day-one priority at HHS. Restoring these protective measures isn't just good policy—it's a moral imperative that will define his leadership of this crucial department.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Every child who disappears into this broken system represents a failure of our government's most fundamental responsibilities. As someone who has seen both the successes of proper vetting and the tragic consequences of its absence, I can attest that these reforms are not just necessary—they're urgent. RFK Jr.'s leadership at HHS must begin by addressing this crisis, or we risk continuing a pattern of governmental negligence that has already cost too many children their safety and potentially their lives.