Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has revealed alarming details regarding child trafficking and exploitation within the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Speaking on Miranda DeVine’s “Pod Force One,” Homan asserted that ICE has rescued numerous migrant children who were victims of sex trafficking, including a 14-year-old girl already pregnant, living with adult men. He highlighted the significant increase in missing children under the previous administration, stating that 300,000 children were unaccounted for. Furthermore, Homan exposed a disturbing trend of migrant children being subjected to forced labor, with instances documented of children working on ranches and chicken farms, effectively enslaved within the United States. He emphasized that while some children were reunited with their families, many chose not to cooperate with immigration court due to fear of consequences. These revelations underscore the vulnerability of migrant children within the current immigration system.

ICE officers previously reported to the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General that thousands of children were handed over to non-family sponsors. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released over 14,500 children in 2023 and 9,600 in 2024 to unrelated individuals or distant relatives, a practice that raises serious concerns about oversight and potential exploitation. Notably, only 1,000 of 2,400 children were placed with parents or legal guardians during one November 2023 week, demonstrating a significant reliance on alternative arrangements. Investigations by ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) revealed a particularly harrowing situation: children were being "rented" by criminal cartel’s to adult men and women, facilitating their transport across the border. After their services were utilized, the children were subsequently returned, only to be re-rented, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation and vulnerability.

DNA testing conducted by ICE indicated that up to 30% of supposed families were unrelated, further complicating the issue of familial connections and raising questions about the accuracy of familial claims. This underscores the urgent need for more robust screening and verification processes. Beyond the immediate concerns of child exploitation, Homan shared a deeply personal story: he is living apart from his wife due to death threats he has received as a consequence of his work enforcing Trump’s immigration policies. "I spent a lot of time with my boys growing up, but as I got more and more — climbed the ladder of what I’ve done with ICE director and now back — I don’t see my family very much," he stated. "My wife’s living separately from me right now, mainly because I worked for many hours, but mostly because of the death threats against me. "She’s someplace else. I see her as much as I can, but the death threats against me and my family are outrageous," he added, highlighting the severe personal cost associated with his role in immigration enforcement.

These revelations paint a concerning picture of vulnerabilities within the immigration system, demanding immediate attention and proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations and ensure the safety and well-being of all children involved. The situation requires a comprehensive review of current policies and procedures, coupled with increased resources for investigation, prevention, and victim support. Further investigation and oversight are crucial to address these alarming trends and prevent future instances of exploitation and harm.