Nearly 146,000 unaccompanied migrant minors who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border during the Biden administration have been located since President Trump took office, according to an announcement Thursday from the Department of Homeland Security. The children were part of an estimated 450,000 minors illegally smuggled into the country, officials said, leaving roughly 300,000 still unaccounted for.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited a joint effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services for tracking down the minors. He pledged to pursue the human smuggling rings responsible, calling the situation a direct consequence of what he described as the previous administration’s failure to secure the border. Mullin accused former President Biden of “turning a blind eye” to criminal activity and allowing unvetted sponsors to take custody of vulnerable children.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche detailed the Justice Department’s investigation into so-called “super sponsors”—individuals who allegedly lied to gain custody of multiple migrant children. Blanche said these sponsors, often working with Mexican drug cartels, used fraudulent identification and falsely claimed to be close relatives. The DOJ is currently tracking 15,500 super sponsor cases tied to hundreds of thousands of minors smuggled between 2021 and 2024.
“When the government fails to protect our borders, it is the most vulnerable who suffer,” Blanche told reporters Thursday. He announced indictments against three Guatemalan nationals living in Ohio, who prosecutors say acted as super sponsors connected to more than a dozen smuggling cases.
Mullin emphasized the scale of exploitation, noting that DHS is investigating roughly 600 to 700 reports of sexual abuse among the located minors. He added that one-third of girls smuggled into the U.S. were likely assaulted before reaching the border. “I don’t care who you are—if you can’t stand for law enforcement to go find these kids, who are you?” he said.
The DHS chief also targeted sanctuary cities, claiming most of the unaccompanied minors are being found in jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. He specifically called out New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani for refusing to allow ICE agents into the city, accusing him of harboring criminals. White House border czar Tom Homan has threatened to surge ICE officers into New York, blaming Governor Kathy Hochul for not assisting federal efforts. Hochul has pushed back, arguing that ICE under Trump has “trampled on basic rights” in the state.
The administration’s focus on locating these minors comes amid broader immigration enforcement efforts. In related developments, Senate Republicans are resisting Trump’s push for a third reconciliation package to fund the Pentagon, as reported by The World Signal. Meanwhile, Trump’s recent claims of an Iran settlement have been met with skepticism from Tehran and its allies.
Mullin vowed to continue the search, saying President Trump “has made it a point to go find these kids.” He added, “I will move heaven and hell to go find these kids.” The DHS secretary said ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection are leading the effort, with no timeline provided for locating the remaining missing minors.
