HHS Memo Reveals Fraud, Vetting Failures in Biden’s UAC Program
HHS report highlights fraud and safety lapses in Biden’s unaccompanied child program, sparking calls for reform.
2 min read
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a memorandum detailing widespread fraud and vetting failures in the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program under the Biden administration. According to the report, six forms of fraud were identified, including cases where sponsors provided false documents, leading to minors being placed in unsafe situations and, in rare instances, death.
Administration Fails to Protect Vulnerable Children
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. criticized the Biden administration for its failure to protect vulnerable children, stating that the administration weakened safeguards and prioritized speed over scrutiny. “It failed in its most basic responsibility: protecting vulnerable children in federal care,” Kennedy said. He added that under President Trump, HHS is restoring rigorous oversight and ensuring the safety of these children.
Increased Referrals and Relaxed Policies
The ORR, which is responsible for caring for unaccompanied minors arriving at the U.S. borders, reported a sharp increase in UAC referrals during the Biden administration starting in 2021. In response, the ORR relaxed sponsor vetting policies and expedited the release of minors. In Fiscal Year 2024, ORR denied less than 1% of sponsorship applications.
High Rates of Fraud and Tragic Cases
The report noted that the average rate of intentional document fraud remained at about 77%. Between October 1, 2023, and October 31, 2024, the ORR received 1,669 reports of fraud and reviewed a subset of these. Approximately 85% of the reviewed cases involved intentional document fraud.
One tragic case involved a 15-year-old girl who was released to a male sponsor claiming to be her biological brother without any verification. Two months later, authorities determined the sponsor was not related and had allegedly raped and impregnated her. The sponsor is under investigation.
In another case, a 17-year-old boy was released to a sponsor who claimed to be his stepsister based on unauthenticated Venezuelan documents. Three months later, the minor was found dead in the back seat of a car, with his genitalia exposed and an unconscious 30-year-old male.
Call for Better Vetting and Oversight
ORR Senior Advisor John Fabbricatore stated that heightened scrutiny and better vetting practices could have prevented the fraud that led to the violent abuse of these minors. He added that thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, ORR has located 157,000 children and ensured their safety, with ongoing efforts to find over 85,000 missing minors.
🚨NEW: The Trump Administration has uncovered 6 forms of fraud in the Unaccompanied Alien Children Program that occurred during the Biden Administration. Between October 2023 and October 2024, the Office of Refugee Resettlement received 1,669 reports of sponsor-related fraud… pic.twitter.com/L15qJJRmTb
Source: OANN
