North Houston News

Congressman Morgan Luttrell of Texas has introduced new legislation aimed at protecting unaccompanied migrant children in the United States. The bill, known as the Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025, seeks to ensure that both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) take necessary steps when placing these children with sponsors.

This legislative move follows reports from the DHS Office of Inspector General indicating that HHS has lost contact with over 300,000 children under the current administration. The proposed legislation is a companion to a similar bill recently introduced in the Senate by Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson.

"Over 300,000 unaccompanied migrant children effectively disappeared under the Biden administration, leaving them vulnerable to trafficking, abuse, and exploitation," stated Congressman Luttrell. He emphasized the need for thorough vetting processes to ensure children's safety and criticized President Biden's border policies.

Senator Rick Scott expressed concerns about the risks faced by these children due to what he described as failures in immigration policy under former President Joe Biden. "It is terrifying to think that over 300,000 young, innocent children have been brought into this nation, potentially forced into unsafe conditions and at risk for human trafficking," said Senator Scott.

The proposed act aims to establish proper vetting standards through HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and DHS before releasing an unaccompanied child to a sponsor. Key provisions include:

- Requiring all prospective sponsors, whether related or unrelated adults, to undergo proper vetting.

- Mandating vetting for all adults in a potential sponsor's household.

- Prohibiting release of an unaccompanied child to a sponsor illegally residing in the U.S., unless they are a biological parent or legal guardian.

- Requiring ORR home visits before release and five unannounced visits during the first year.

- Implementing monthly reporting requirements from DHS and HHS to Congress.

- Vetting each sponsor since January 20, 2021.

- Reporting actions taken for currently missing children placed with sponsors.

The legislation intends to address issues arising from previous policies while supporting efforts made by President Trump’s administration regarding border security and child protection.