House Republicans increase pressure on Biden admin over reports of surge in forced child migrant labor

Dozens of House Republicans are calling for answers from the Biden administration's handling of the child migrant surge and reports of an increase in forced labor.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics show the number of unaccompanied minors has surged from 33,239 in fiscal year 2020 to more than 146,000 in fiscal year 2021 and 152,000 in fiscal year 2022. The lawmakers note that reflected a 400% increase from FY20. 5.4 GOP Letter to HHS and DHS on Minors by Fox News on Scribd Adam Shaw is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, primarily covering immigration and border security.

After child migrants are encountered at the southern border they are transferred from CBP to HHS, where efforts are made to release them to a sponsor — typically a parent or relative, often ones in the country illegally.  He can be reached at adam.shaw2@fox.com or on Twitter.

The New York Times detailed a rise in child exploitation, where children are pressed into forced labor, sometimes to pay back their smuggling costs. It has led to concerns that, by transporting children to sponsors, the U.S. is contributing to child labor trafficking. The Times reported how officials reportedly ignored signs of "explosive" growth in the child labor force and how officials scrambled to clear shelters that were at capacity.