As the federal agent who exposed the systematic failure to protect migrant children in 2015, I witnessed firsthand how our government’s broken processes allowed thousands of vulnerable children to disappear into the hands of unchecked sponsors, some with criminal records. Potential appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the helm of the Department of Health and Human Services presents a crucial opportunity to finally address this ongoing humanitarian crisis that has plagued our nation for over a decade.

While public attention is frequently focused on HHS’s health care responsibilities, few Americans realize that this department, through its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), bears ultimate responsibility for the safety of unaccompanied migrant children. This dual mandate creates a unique challenge that requires immediate attention and reform, especially given the current administration’s dangerous dismantling of critical child protection measures.

The magnitude of this crisis cannot be overstated. In 2015, I decided to blow the whistle on a system that was literally turning children over to criminals. As a federal agent with years of experience in immigration enforcement, I have witnessed many systemic failures, but none so egregious as seeing our government put children at risk. My revelations, combined with Senator Chuck Grassley’s subsequent investigation, led to the implementation of critical vetting procedures in 2016, including mandatory fingerprinting and background checks for potential sponsors.

The path these children take through our system illustrates the complexity of the problem. It starts with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where children are initially processed after crossing the border. They are then transferred to ICE custody before being turned over to the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement. Finally, they reach HHS contracted facilities, which are responsible for placing them with sponsors. At each transition point, there should be robust protections. Instead, the current administration has created a pipeline where children are quickly released to sponsors without proper vetting.

The reforms we made in 2016 were not just bureaucratic changes, they were vital safeguards to protect children from trafficking and exploitation. These measures included full background checks, fingerprinting requirements and verification of sponsor relationships. Most importantly, they worked. Improved screening procedures have successfully identified many potential sponsors with criminal records, preventing children from being placed in dangerous situations.

However, the Biden administration’s decision to dismantle these protections almost immediately after taking office has returned us to the dangerous status quo that prompted my denunciation in the first place. This regression in policy had predictable and tragic consequences: thousands of children once again disappeared into the shadows, potentially victims of labor trafficking, sexual exploitation, or worse.

The current situation bears striking similarities to what we witnessed in 2015. Back then, we discovered that HHS did not properly vet sponsors, resulting in children being placed with people who had criminal records, including violent crimes and sex offenses. The system was so broken that there were cases where sponsors submitted multiple applications to receive children, raising red flags about potential trafficking operations. However, these applications were still being approved.

RFK Jr.’s priority at HHS must be to restore and strengthen these vital protections. It’s not just about border security or immigration policy – ​​it’s about preventing children from disappearing into a system that fails to protect them. The solution requires immediate action on several fronts:

1. Re-introduce mandatory fingerprinting for all potential sponsors, not just those deemed “high risk”

2. Implement comprehensive background checks that include state and local criminal databases

3. Establish cross-reference protocols with criminal databases to identify repeat sponsorship requests

4. Request verification of sponsor relationships through documentary evidence

5. Institute mandatory health checks after placement

6. Create a tracking system to monitor the whereabouts and well-being of children after placement

7. Establish accountability measures for facilities that do not follow proper verification procedures

8. Implement regular audits of sponsor applications and placement decisions

9. Develop coordination protocols between CBP, ICE, and HHS to ensure no child falls through the cracks

The thousands of children who have gone missing in the current system are not just statistics – they represent real lives at risk of exploitation, trafficking and abuse. As someone who has dedicated my career to law enforcement and child protection, I can attest that the current situation represents a catastrophic failure of our government’s most fundamental obligation: protecting the vulnerable in our care.

Kennedy’s appointment to HHS would represent an opportunity to correct this tragic course. While his health reforms will undoubtedly receive significant attention, his most pressing task is to address this ongoing humanitarian crisis. The infrastructure for proper vetting exists – it just requires the political will to implement it.

The American people deserve to know that their government is not complicit in enabling child trafficking through lax oversight. As a whistleblower who exposed these dangers years ago, I can say with authority that the current situation is intolerable. RFK Jr. has an opportunity to demonstrate that America can uphold its humanitarian obligations and commitment to children’s safety.

The time for action is now. These children cannot afford to wait for bureaucratic deliberations or political calculations. Every day without proper vetting procedures puts more children at risk. Kennedy needs to make this a priority for his first day at HHS. Reinstating these safeguards isn’t just good policy—it’s a moral imperative that will define his leadership in this crucial department.

The stakes could not be higher. Every child that goes missing in this broken system is a failure of our government’s most fundamental responsibilities. As someone who has seen both the successes of adequate vetting and the tragic consequences of its absence, I can attest that these reforms are not only necessary, they are urgent. RFK Jr.’s leadership at HHS must begin by addressing this crisis or we risk continuing a pattern of government neglect that has already cost too many children their safety and potentially their lives.