Two unaccompanied girls, ages 5 and 9, from El Salvador were rescued by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers after being abandoned by a smuggler who fled back to Mexico.
The girls, found in Eagle Pass Saturday, carried a note with an address and phone number, a grim reminder of the increasing number of unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
“This has been all too common over the years,” said Lieutenant Chris Olivarez, a spokesperson for the Texas DPS. “We see unaccompanied children coming across the border, abandoned by smugglers or traffickers. It’s heartbreaking.”
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The two girls had traveled alone from El Salvador, likely facilitated by a smuggler paid by their family or guardian. Troopers discovered the girls in possession of contact information, a typical scenario where children carry notes or cell phones with family details. However, Lieutenant Olivarez highlighted the dangers these children face:
“Many of these children are exploited or placed in stash houses in Mexico, waiting to cross the border. If families can’t pay the smugglers, these children often fall victim to sexual exploitation or labor trafficking,” Olivarez said.
The girls were handed over to Health and Human Services (HHS), which will place them with sponsors. However, Olivarez criticized current federal policies, claiming they lack sufficient oversight, allowing unvetted sponsors to take custody of these children.
“There’s no guarantee these children end up with properly vetted sponsors or even family members,” Olivarez said. “Under the current administration, we’ve lost track of almost 600,000 children in the system. That’s unacceptable.”
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Incoming Border Czar Tom Homan has vowed to address the issue, but the situation remains dire, with officials admitting that the system is overwhelmed and inadequate to ensure the safety of every child.
Governor Greg Abbott recently launched an international billboard campaign warning families about the dangers of human trafficking and illegal crossings.
“This is the most inhumane form of family separation,” Olivarez said. “Sending children thousands of miles, not knowing if they will arrive safely, is a tragedy. There must be consequences for families facilitating this.”
Advocates and officials alike hope that stricter border enforcement and targeted anti-trafficking measures will stem the tide of unaccompanied children being abandoned at the border.
“This crisis cannot continue,” Olivarez said. “It’s a matter of humanity and safety for these vulnerable children.”
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