WATCH: Trump DHS escalates pressure over migrant child warnings it says Biden ignored: ‘Move heaven and hell’

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin Accuses Biden Administration of Ignoring Sexual Abuse of Migrant Children

Washington, D.C. – In a Thursday press briefing, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin criticized the Biden administration for allegedly “turning a blind eye” to widespread sexual abuse of migrant children, calling for a new enforcement agenda and the prosecution of those responsible.

Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said the United States had “a duty to enforce our nation's laws and right the wrongs that the Biden administration turned a blind eye to.” He cited reports that more than a third of migrant females—regardless of age—had been sexually assaulted before arriving at the border. “It’s horrific what’s happening right in our own country because of four years of a blind eye that allowed unvetted sponsors to come pick up 450,000 kids on our borders,” Mullin told reporters.

The secretary’s remarks followed data released in May 2025 by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who obtained Department of Health and Human Services records indicating that 65,605 reports involving migrant children were either ignored or dismissed during the Biden administration. Among those cases were 7,346 allegations of human trafficking. Grassley noted that the Trump administration had opened dozens of legal investigations from the previously inactive reports within its first 100 days in office.

During the same press conference, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment of three individuals—purportedly illegal immigrants from Guatemala—charged in the Northern District of Ohio with conspiring to smuggle more than a dozen children into the United States by exploiting loopholes created by the previous administration. Blanche emphasized that this indictment was “one example, one indictment, but it is not unique.” He cited that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice had identified over 15,500 “super‑sponsor” cases—instances in which a sponsor had placed more than three unrelated children under their care.

Mullin added an emotional appeal, describing himself as a father of six and asking, “What’s inhumane about taking care of our kids?” He pledged to pursue legal action against those responsible and to collaborate with Blanche and the DOJ. “We’re going to bring you to justice. We’re going to charge you, and we’re going to work side by side with Todd Blanche and DOJ to make sure you pay for your crimes,” he said.

The issue of sponsor vetting has been the subject of prior investigations. A 2021 Office of Inspector General report from the Department of Health and Human Services found that a large portion of child migrant sponsors had not undergone proper background checks. The report highlighted that 19% of sponsors had not provided FBI fingerprints or state child‑abuse and neglect registry records before minors were released to them.

In response to abuse concerns, the Biden administration has taken some steps. In July 2024, the administration sued Southwest Key, a company that operated a processing facility for unaccompanied migrant children, alleging that employees sexually abused and harassed minors in their care. The administration also accepted recommendations for reform following the 2021 HHS Inspector General report.

The Department of Homeland Security did not issue an immediate statement in response to the briefing. However, the agency directed Fox News Digital to contact Secretary Mullin for additional comments, at which time Mullin stated, “We found 146,000 kids so far. Some of these kids claimed that they were raped over 600 times. I don’t care who you are. If you can’t stand for law enforcement to go find these kids, who are you?”

The Biden administration’s office and the Department of Justice have yet to provide a comment on the claims or the new enforcement initiatives announced by Mullin.

The allegations raise questions about the management of migrant child cases and the efficacy of current safeguarding measures. As the Secretary and Attorney General’s offices move to address alleged abuses, the broader debate over border policy and child protection continues to intensify across the political spectrum.