Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that child trafficking at the border is beyond the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) jurisdiction. He explained that although the department looks into trafficking cases, the responsibility for unaccompanied minors falls on other agencies.

Mayorkas shared his remarks as his time at the helm of DHS approaches its end. He spoke about persistent issues with the U.S. immigration system, labeling it as "broken" and pointing out obsolete laws and institutional inefficiencies. He highlighted the necessity for thorough reform to tackle enduring issues. Bipartisan Border Deal Collapsed Amid Political GridlockMayorkas expressed regret over the failure of a bipartisan border agreement earlier this year, attributing it to "irresponsible politics." He stated that the proposal could potentially address major immigration problems. Nevertheless, it was unable to advance, resulting in considerable deficiencies in policy and enforcement abilities.The DHS must transfer unaccompanied minors to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within 72 hours, as mandated by law. After being transferred, HHS manages their placement, frequently reuniting them with their parents or legal guardians. Mayorkas highlighted cases where the government loses oversight of minors but dismissed the idea that every instance is related to trafficking. Missing Children Highlight Systemic ChallengesA recent study indicated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was unable to track more than 32,000 unaccompanied minors from 2019 to 2023. Tom Homan, the new border czar, has indicated that these minors are vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking.When questioned about these allegations, Mayorkas admitted to getting reports of trafficking but emphasized that the matter is intricate. He emphasized that tracking failures are not exclusive to the Biden administration. "The duration of immigration proceedings is unacceptably long," he said, calling for systemic improvements. DHS Enforcement Efforts Focused on ExploitationMayorkas emphasized the DHS's initiatives to tackle exploitation in employment settings. The department has focused on addressing employers who take advantage of vulnerable migrants, including minors, through inadequate wages and unsafe working environments. "We have been unparalleled in that focus," he stated, referring to the approach as a major accomplishment of the administration.He emphasized the necessity for more resources to bolster enforcement efforts. He also emphasized a worldwide increase in migration patterns in 2018 and 2019, which further strained U.S. immigration systems. He added that the COVID-19 pandemic made efforts even more complicated. Calls for System Reform PersistMayorkas defended the administration's handling of migration surges, citing enhanced transportation and processing capabilities. He described enforcement under the current administration as operating at "an unprecedented level."