WASHINGTON — Federal authorities have flagged more than 15,000 instances where adults have gained custody of multiple immigrant children who arrived in the United States without parents, officials announced Thursday, indicating a potential crackdown on prolific child sponsors.
The Justice Department spotlighted criminal charges against three individuals from Guatemala that officials say highlight the risks of inadequate sponsor screening in a system designed to connect children with relatives or family friends after they arrive in the country. Authorities said they are examining many other so-called super-sponsors — individuals who obtained custody of more than three unrelated children — to assess whether fraud was involved in the sponsorship process.
“We will not accept half measures when it comes to securing the border, protecting American lives and saving children from exploitation,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during a news briefing.
Obtaining custody of multiple unrelated migrant children does not constitute a criminal offense. While the sponsors could be compassionate and well-meaning, senior administration officials highlighting their cases suggests authorities view them with suspicion and may subject them to enhanced investigation.
During the Biden administration, officials worked to place children with qualified adult sponsors within 30 days, allowing many families to reunite rapidly. However, this approach also resulted in mistakes, with some children placed with adults who compelled them to work unlawfully, or with individuals who supplied obviously fraudulent identification and contact information.
Under the current administration, officials have implemented stricter regulations designed to stop traffickers from illegally transporting children into the nation, which has also caused a significant extension in federal custody periods for minors. As of May, children remain in federal custody for an average of 206 days before placement, compared with an average of 37 days when the administration began. Meanwhile, the total number of children in custody has consistently declined.
Finding the right approach to place children with screened sponsors while protecting them from harm has become a divisive political issue.
Democrats “want to claim that Republicans, because we’re enforcing the laws, it’s inhumane, somehow,” Blanche said after criticizing the screening processes under the previous administration. “What’s inhumane about taking care of our kids?”
The criminal cases revealed Thursday involve charges against a woman who, according to authorities, was residing in the country illegally, conspired with others to transport children across the border, then employed false identities to obtain custody of them for financial gain. In a separate case, a woman faces accusations of falsely stating she was related to a teenager who had entered the country illegally in her application to become the teen’s sponsor.
The Associated Press has requested statements from lawyers representing the defendants in these cases.
Those critical of the current administration have expressed alarm about wellness inspections conducted by immigration officers at elementary schools, immigration officers appearing and detaining sponsors during child reunification appointments, and newly mandated documentation that has established a “paperwork barrier” and prompted a recent legal challenge.
Even sponsors prepared to complete the new screening requirements have faced prolonged and unnecessary delays.
A father from Chicago who is a U.S. citizen and possessed valid documentation for his child waited five months before the government arranged a fingerprinting appointment. While waiting, his young daughter suffered sexual abuse while in federal custody, according to a lawsuit.
