U.S. charges 3 for alleged smuggling conspiracy involving unaccompanied minors
Summary
The U.S. Department of Justice charged three people in Ohio with conspiracy to smuggle unaccompanied minors across the U.S. border. Officials said many minors are sent to false sponsors and could be trafficked for labor or sex, and investigations found many safety and background checks were missing.Key Facts
- Three defendants in Ohio face 19 charges related to smuggling unaccompanied minors.
- "Super sponsors" are fraudsters who take responsibility for multiple unrelated children.
- Many of these children are at risk of being trafficked for labor or sex.
- More than 81,000 addresses were used repeatedly as sponsors for these children.
- Over 76,000 required safety checks were never done, and more than 97,000 background checks were missing.
- The Department of Homeland Security says the previous administration did not properly vet or check on sponsors of these children.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted this as a serious failure to protect vulnerable children.
- Children who suffer crimes can apply for a special visa called a U-visa for victims who help law enforcement.
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