In a recent government meeting, intense discussions centered around the handling of unaccompanied minors and the background check processes for sponsors. A congressman raised concerns about the alarming number of 85,000 children reported missing, questioning how one individual could sponsor as many as 20 children. He emphasized the potential for trafficking and exploitation, citing a New York Times report that criticized the administration's management of these vulnerable children.

The Secretary responded by asserting that all sponsors undergo a rigorous background check process, regardless of their nationality. However, the congressman pressed further, questioning the effectiveness of these checks, particularly for foreign nationals, and raised the possibility of criminal organizations, such as MS-13, being involved in child trafficking.

The dialogue shifted to the verification of identities, with the congressman drawing a parallel between the identification required for child custody and the ongoing debate over voter ID laws. He challenged the Secretary on the apparent inconsistency in identity verification processes, questioning how sponsors could be vetted while claims of voter ID requirements being discriminatory persist.

The Secretary maintained that various methods, including fingerprinting, are employed to establish the relationship between children and their sponsors. However, the congressman remained skeptical, particularly in light of a Florida grand jury case where a child was placed in a strip club, questioning the adequacy of the vetting process in such scenarios.

The meeting also touched on the safety of unaccompanied minors, with references to high-profile cases involving violent crimes committed by individuals who had entered the country as unaccompanied children. The Secretary acknowledged the use of secure facilities for minors deemed a risk to themselves or others but could not provide specific numbers on how many children are currently housed in such facilities.

Overall, the meeting highlighted significant concerns regarding the safety and oversight of unaccompanied minors in the U.S., raising questions about the effectiveness of current policies and the potential for systemic failures in protecting these vulnerable populations.