GOP seizes on report knocking DHS handling of child migrant cases

Republicans on Tuesday seized on a watchdog report that faulted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for inconsistent communication about immigration cases involving unaccompanied children.

The report from DHS’s Office of Inspector General stressed that without better communication between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the two agencies responsible for such children, the U.S. “reduces opportunities to verify their safety.”

Republicans, who see immigration as a winning issue in November, said the findings showed Biden administration mismanagement of the border.

The report highlights the complex process for addressing the welfare of children who arrive alone at the border. After initially being processed by ICE, they are placed under the care of HHS.

But in evaluating ICE’s role, the watchdog found the agency failed to always notify HHS when migrant children failed to appear for their immigration court proceedings. Of nearly 450,000 children in HHS custody over the last five years, roughly 32,000 failed to appear for their court dates.

Unaccompanied children “who do not appear for court are considered at higher risk for trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor,” the report says.

The report ends with a recommendation that the two agencies improve their communication and coordination. While it notes that internal ICE guidance prompts the agency to email HHS if a child does not appear at their court date, it also leaves unclear the extent of ICE’s legal obligation.

“ICE did not always alert HHS when UCs did not appear for immigration hearings. According to an ICE official, ICE is not required to share this information with HHS,” the report says.

In a swiftly organized press call Tuesday night, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) — along with House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green (R-Tenn.) and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) — dinged Vice President Harris for her handling of immigration and the situation at the southern border.

“The southern border is a national security disaster and a humanitarian catastrophe, and Kamala Harris cannot be trusted to fix it,” Johnson said. “It is on her watch that all this has happened.”

The inspector general's report — and the GOP press call — came as Democrats were gathered in Chicago for their convention, which has touched on immigration and the situation at the southern border.

During his speech Monday night, President Biden said border encounters had dropped more than 50 percent, and claimed that “there are fewer border crossings today than when Donald Trump left office.”

“And unlike Trump, we will not demonize immigrants, saying they are ‘poisoning the blood of America’ or ‘poisoning the blood of our country.’ Kamala and I are committed to strengthening legal immigration, including protecting Dreamers and more,” Biden said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, is set to speak about immigration Wednesday, according to Axios.

Asked by The Hill about the Democratic messaging on immigration at the convention, Johnson was critical.

“Their speeches are full of fantasy and not facts,” he said. “This is the largest gaslighting operation in the history of American politics.”

Immigration and the situation at the southern border are sure to be key topics when Congress reconvenes in September, as lawmakers stare down a government funding deadline at the end of the month.

The conservative House Freedom Caucus put out a statement earlier this month demanding that any stopgap deal to meet the funding deadline must include the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which seeks to ban noncitizens from voting in federal elections — a situation that rarely happens. The House approved the legislation in July, though it is currently stalled in the Senate.

Asked Tuesday if he would be willing to hold up government funding for the SAVE Act, Johnson responded: “We're looking for every way to push the SAVE Act and to get it through the Senate.”

“The funding deadline is upon us and we're actively discussing the various options on that, and as you know … as I have to do with everything, build consensus to come up with the final decision,” he added. “But that’s all underway, but I can tell you, I mean, I can verify for you that the SAVE Act is a big part of this conversation.”

“And it is not just the Freedom Caucus, it is members across the conference who share the same concern that we do about this, and we believe it’s one of the, perhaps the most urgent issue, the most imminent threat facing the country is the integrity of this election cycle, and everybody’s worried about that, and we’re looking for every way to advance the issue,” he added.