During a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the issue of international parental child abduction and the safety of children crossing the southern border. A key focus was on the Goldman Act, which was established a decade ago to enhance protections for children at risk of abduction. The act introduced the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program, designed to notify parents if someone attempts to obtain a passport for their child without their consent.

Testimonies highlighted the importance of prevention in combating child abduction, with one official emphasizing the need for accountability regarding the welfare of children entering the country. Questions were raised about the number of single parents who have brought children across the border in recent years, with estimates suggesting tens of thousands may have done so without proper documentation or oversight.

Concerns were particularly pronounced regarding the lack of tracking for these children, many of whom may have arrived unaccompanied. It was noted that previous testing to verify familial relationships had a failure rate of 8 to 9%, leading to the cessation of such practices. This raises alarming questions about the safety and status of these children, with fears that some may have been abducted or are otherwise unaccounted for.

The discussion underscored a critical gap in the current system, as officials acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the identities and backgrounds of children crossing the border. The meeting concluded with a call for more robust measures to ensure the protection of vulnerable children and to enhance the accountability of those bringing them into the country.