Homeland Security Secretary Accuses Biden Administration of Ignoring Sexual Abuse Reports
During a press conference on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin criticized the Biden administration for allegedly overlooking numerous incidents of sexual abuse directed at immigrants.
“We will enforce our country’s laws and address the issues that the Biden administration has ignored,” Mullin stated. He expressed concern, noting that the situation is dire, especially after four years of allowing unchecked sponsors to take custody of around 450,000 children at the border. Reports indicate that over a third of women, irrespective of their age, claim to have been sexually assaulted prior to reaching the border.
In May 2025, Senator Chuck Grassley obtained information from the Department of Health and Human Services showing that under President Biden’s administration, more than 65,000 reports concerning immigrant children were either ignored or dismissed, which included about 7,346 cases related to human trafficking. In contrast, the Trump administration initiated several legal investigations into similar neglected reports within its first 100 days in office.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, also speaking at the conference, mentioned that three individuals—illegal immigrants from Guatemala—had been indicted for attempting to smuggle over a dozen children into the U.S. by exploiting loopholes from the previous administration. “This indictment is not an isolated case; together with DHS, we’ve identified over 15,500 cases of so-called ‘super-sponsorship,’ where individuals sponsor three or more children without any real connection to them,” Blanche explained.
As the conference continued, Mullin expressed deep emotions, posing a question: “What is inhumane about caring for children?” As a father of six, he emphasized his dedication to finding missing children, stating, “I will move heaven and hell to ensure their safety.” Mullin also vowed to pursue justice against those responsible for these crimes.
Government Reports Highlight Gaps in Child Sponsorship Vetting
A 2021 report from the HHS Office of Inspector General revealed significant failings in the vetting process for sponsors of immigrant children. Many sponsors had not undergone FBI fingerprinting or state child abuse checks, nor had authorities reviewed registries properly.
While some internal investigations pointed to problems with how the Biden administration was handling migrant children, the administration did take steps to address the issues of abuse and the lack of thorough sponsor reviews. For instance, in July 2024, the Biden administration initiated legal action against Southwest Key, a facility for unaccompanied migrant children, claiming that its employees subjected minors to abuse and harassment. Additionally, reforms were accepted following recommendations from the 2021 HHS OIG report.
Requests for comments from the Justice Department and the Biden administration went unanswered. When further questions were posed, the Department of Homeland Security referred to Mullin’s earlier comments during the press conference.
In closing remarks, Mullin highlighted the urgent need for justice, stating that they had located 146,000 children, some of whom reported being victimized over 600 times. “If you can’t support law enforcement in their efforts to find your children, who are you?” Mullin questioned pointedly.
