California’s gubernatorial race has brought renewed attention to controversy over the handling of unaccompanied migrant children during Xavier Becerra’s tenure as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 2021 to early 2025. Critics accuse Becerra of inadequate oversight, pointing to tens of thousands of migrant children who reportedly went missing after entering federal custody, raising concerns about their safety and welfare.
Republican candidate Steve Hilton has sharply criticized Becerra’s record, releasing whistleblower allegations suggesting that as many as 130,000 migrant children lost contact with authorities while under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), a division of HHS responsible for their placement and safety. The allegations include cases of children being exploited through forced labor or sex trafficking, with some reportedly as young as six. These claims build upon earlier investigations, including a 2023 inquiry that found more than 85,000 children were unreachable over a two-year period.
Chris Clem, a former HHS senior adviser and retired Border Patrol chief, directly blamed Becerra’s leadership for the crisis. Clem highlighted what he described as an emphasis on rapid release of children from custody without sufficient vetting of sponsors, a process Becerra himself likened to a Ford “assembly line.” Clem argued that this approach increased the risks of children becoming “missing” or falling victim to exploitation. Clem further asserted that Becerra’s visits to intake centers meant he was aware of ongoing issues during his leadership.
A whistleblower caseworker at the Pomona Fairplex emergency intake center in Southern California outlined concerns that children were being released to inadequately vetted sponsors, with insufficient oversight during transport and custody transfers. The source suggested that the timing of some releases was orchestrated to evade observation, deepening worries about child trafficking and abuse.
In response, Becerra’s campaign dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that the problems originated during the previous Trump administration and asserting that Becerra rebuilt the child protection and sponsor vetting systems. Jonathan Underland, Becerra’s spokesperson, criticized Hilton for aligning with the prior administration, which made policies that led to family separations and other abuses. Former HHS public affairs chief Jeff Nesbitt defended Becerra’s tenure, stating that no children were “lost” under his watch and attributing previous disarray to Trump-era policies.
The issue highlights broader challenges faced by U.S. immigration agencies amid surges of unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border. Beginning in 2014 and accelerating under the Biden administration’s increased border enforcement efforts, ORR facilities were often overwhelmed, leading to expedited processing and reduced safeguards. Advocates and officials have acknowledged that some children were released to caregivers who later became unreachable, while others were confirmed to have been trafficked or exploited.
As the debate intensifies, Becerra faces calls from opponents and advocacy groups to provide clearer answers about the whereabouts and safety of the missing children during his leadership of HHS. The issue remains a contentious and emotive element in the California governor’s race, illustrating the complexities involved in managing migrant child welfare amid ongoing immigration challenges.