Staff Reports
ACLU Claims Lost Migrant Children Are Not Really “Missing”
In a recent testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee, Lee Gelernt, the deputy director for the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, sparked controversy with his claims regarding the over 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children that the federal government has lost track of. Despite the concerns raised by Republican members during the questioning, Gelernt stood firm, arguing that these children are not truly missing but instead have sponsors who are afraid to answer the government’s phone calls.
It is astounding to witness the arrogance of the ACLU in dismissing the legitimate concerns about the safety and well-being of these children. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) rightfully challenged Gelernt’s assumption that the lack of response from sponsors indicates no harm befalling the lost children. It is ludicrous to suggest that sponsors are merely avoiding government contact due to fear. The truth is that the ACLU conveniently turns a blind eye to the alarming possibility that these children are facing grave dangers.
Moreover, Gelernt’s claim that the federal government conducts thorough background checks is nothing short of a joke. As reported by the New York Times, individuals who dared to voice concerns over the lack of proper vetting for these sponsors were fired. Jallyn Sualog, the most senior career member responsible for unaccompanied migrant children under the Biden administration, was ousted from her position after trying to expose the inadequate vetting procedures.
The Times’ report sheds light on a deeply concerning situation within our federal government. Instead of ensuring the safety of these vulnerable children, it appears that efforts were made to silence those who sought to protect them. The Biden administration’s handling of this matter raises serious questions about their commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the welfare of unaccompanied migrant children.
It is clear that the ACLU’s perspective on this issue is riddled with misguided assumptions and political agenda. By claiming that these lost children are not truly missing, they disregard the very real possibility of their suffering. It is crucial that we hold the ACLU accountable for their reckless denial of the potential dangers faced by these children.
We must demand transparency and genuine efforts from the federal government to locate and ensure the safety of these unaccompanied migrant children. Anything short of that would be a failure on their part to fulfill their duty to protect the most vulnerable among us. Let us not allow partisan narratives and manipulative rhetoric to overshadow the urgency of this critical issue.
