In a heartbreaking incident near the US-Mexico border, Texas troopers found a 10-year-old boy from El Salvador who had been abandoned by human smugglers. The boy, crying and visibly distraught, told authorities he had been left to fend for himself in Maverick County.
The discovery was made as part of Operation Lone Star, Texas’ ongoing initiative to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration. Lieutenant Chris Olivarez of the Texas DPS reported that the boy was found with only a phone and said his parents were already in the US. “The child was crying and told troopers a smuggling guide left him behind and that he was lost,” Olivarez stated.
This case is part of a troubling trend. Earlier this week, Operation Lone Star uncovered 60 unaccompanied children at the border, including toddlers. One 2-year-old girl from El Salvador was found with a slip of paper listing a phone number and name, a common practice used by smugglers to connect children with alleged “sponsors.”
The Biden administration has come under fire for its handling of unaccompanied minors. Under current policies, children are transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for placement with sponsors. However, reports reveal that many of these children are exploited, with some falling into forced labor or trafficking.
Over 320,000 unaccompanied children have been reported missing under the Biden administration, sparking concerns about the safety of minors crossing the border. Critics argue that open border policies have created an environment ripe for human trafficking and exploitation.
As Americans celebrate the holidays, the plight of these children serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by lax border enforcement. The Biden administration’s policies must be scrutinized to ensure that children are protected, not abandoned or exploited.
