The Framework of Epic Failure, Human Rights Violations by the U.S Government, The UN and The Resettlement Agency’s or NGO,s

Part 2 of 4

Mar 13, 2024

"In the heart of Florida, a controversy unfolds, casting a shadow over the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and revealing the harsh realities faced by Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). These young souls, transported by federal agencies, find themselves abandoned, their cries for help lost in a bureaucratic maze. The tragic death of a child under ORR's care brings the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals into sharp focus, prompting a critical reassessment of the agency's adherence to its core responsibilities.

As the narrative unfolds, ORR's decision-makers face bipartisan criticism for their failure to uphold the constitutional mandate of oversight, a concern highlighted in a damning 2021 Senate Finance Committee report. The push for speed over scrutiny in the processing of these children, urged by Secretary Becerra, has led to rushed releases to sponsors without adequate vetting, exposing at-risk children to labor exploitation and the perils of human trafficking.

Congressman Garcia's palpable frustration as he confronts the Director of ORR underscores the system's gaps and uncertainties, with unanswered questions ranging from DNA tests to the children's fate. This stark admission that 'They don't know where they end up, and they can't guarantee their safety' underscores a troubling lack of accountability, leaving their futures uncertain.

Criticism mounts as ORR's preference for a lengthy, costly, and unreliable verification process stands in stark contrast to more efficient, economical, and accurate methods like rapid DNA testing. The agency's cursory approach to vetting processes, which leaves children in potentially harmful situations, has not gone unnoticed. This, coupled with a web of contradictions where ORR claims adherence to the Flores Settlement Agreement while acting contrary to its stipulations, suggests a disheartening abdication of responsibility.

When sponsors falter, neglecting their duties or endangering the children in their care, ORR's stance of 'not their problem' reveals a systemic failure to protect those under its watch. This refusal to intervene in cases of abuse or trafficking sparks outrage, suggesting a systemic violation of the Flores Agreement's protective clauses.

Beneath these controversies lies an underlying motive: an ORR policy more concerned with shielding itself from the fallout of flawed placements than with ensuring the well-being of the children it serves. This refusal of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to shoulder responsibility post-placement not only undermines the safety of these children but also the integrity of the immigration system and the rule of law.

Alarming revelations emerge from an audit that uncovers a system plagued by minimal oversight, where children fleeing from their sponsors and frequent caretaker changes paint a picture of instability and neglect. These distressing realities bring to light the urgent need for reform, demanding a reevaluation of the policies and practices that have failed these Unaccompanied Alien Children and challenging them to advocate for a system that truly prioritizes their safety and well-being."

The figures are stark: if ORR's own self-audit is to be believed, each year sees more than 500 children vanish within just a month of placement, with nearly 150 leaving their placements altogether. This alarming statistic offers little in the way of reassurance.

Digging deeper, they uncover that in a selected year, ORR was responsible for placing nearly 130,000 UAC. Yet, astonishingly, the agency conducted in-depth reviews of a mere 0.001% of these cases. Even this minuscule scrutiny revealed severe shortcomings, casting a shadow over the agency's commitment to child protection.

Further complicating the issue, they find that over two-thirds of UAC are placed with individuals who are not their parents. ORR's broad interpretation of 'close family member' often includes sponsors unknown to the children, raising serious concerns about the criteria for sponsorship.

Surprisingly, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and ORR have shown a perplexing reluctance to probe the backgrounds of these 'vetted sponsors.' There's an intentional avoidance of questions that might uncover potential risks, with case managers discouraged from pursuing independent inquiries.

This lack of diligence has led to grave instances where children have been placed with total strangers, illegal border crossers, and even members of criminal organizations, including MS-13 and sexual offenders, exposing the children to exploitation and harm.

Despite public assurances from HHS and ORR officials claiming exhaustive efforts to verify sponsor identities, testimony from witnesses, Congress, and findings from watchdog agencies including HHS's own Inspector General reveal a starkly different reality.

Their investigation has also encountered resistance, with ORR and its allied agencies attempting to obscure these disturbing truths, retaliating against whistleblowers, and disregarding legal requests for information. Nevertheless, they have uncovered data on hundreds of UAC placed in Florida, revealing that after less than two years, more than half could not be located, many assigned to addresses that were invalid or non-residential.

These findings echo the dire warnings they've heard, as detailed in their Third Presentment and corroborated by numerous reports. ORR's assurance of 'placing' UAC falls short when scrutinized; there's no credible evidence to suggest these children remain safe, healthy, or in some cases, alive, after placement.

In confronting this issue, they have seen government officials present seemingly plausible assurances, yet when pressed for deeper answers, the responses they've received range from partial truths to outright falsehoods. This pattern of obfuscation and denial underscores a critical need for transparency, accountability, and a fundamental reevaluation of the systems intended to protect these vulnerable children."