ORR released migrant kids to sponsors without documented safety checks in 16% of cases
A February 8, 2024 HHS Office of Inspector General report (OEI-07-21-00250), reviewing a sample of unaccompanied children released to sponsors in early 2021, found 16% of case files lacked documentation that required sponsor safety checks were conducted, 19% of releases with pending FBI or child-abuse registry checks were never updated with results, and ORR did not conduct mandatory home studies in two cases. In 22% of cases, post-release follow-up calls were not timely. ACF concurred with all six recommendations; per OIG's tracker, five are closed and one, on safeguards ensuring safety checks are completed before release, remains open with an update expected by January 15, 2027.
Gaps in Sponsor Screening and Followup Raise Safety Concerns for Unaccompanied Children (OEI-07-21-00250) — ACF concurred with all six recommendations.
Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
No outcome recorded yet.