Democrats Downplay Plight of Unaccompanied Minors, Says ‘Sound of Freedom’ Movie Subject
Tim Ballard, the subject of the movie ‘Sound of Freedom,’ criticized Democrats for ignoring the 85,000 unaccounted-for unaccompanied minors and the tragic situation of children being sold into sex trafficking. He expressed his disappointment after appearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security.
During the committee hearing, Ballard was struck by the Democrats’ refusal to address the issue of the 85,000 missing children. Instead, they focused on the separation policy from three years ago under the Trump administration, which temporarily separated 5,500 children from their families.
Ballard, in an interview with The Epoch Times, stated, “Clearly, they were trying to distract and deflect because there is no separation of families policy right now. But there is an urgent situation going on with thousands of children right now.”
“According to the data I’ve seen, including from the president of Guatemala, somewhere between 70-75 percent of the children and women who are brought from Guatemala have been sexually abused and trafficked along the way,” Ballard revealed. “Those kids aren’t just being used as pawns, they’re being sold and abused in any way that makes money for the trafficker.”
Left-to-Right: Tim Ballard, Mayra Hinojosa Cantu, Sandy Snodgrass, and Lee Gelernt are sworn in prior to giving testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security on September 13, 2023 (Screenshot/U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security).
Having served as a Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security for over 10 years, specializing in Internet Crimes Against Children, Ballard has firsthand experience in combating child trafficking. In 2013, he founded “Operation Underground Railroad,” an organization dedicated to rescuing victims of child trafficking. His inspiring story is the basis for the movie ‘Sound of Freedom.’
During his testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security on September 13, Ballard was joined by Sandy Snodgrass, founder of Alaska Fentanyl Response, Mayra Hinojosa Cantu, the wife of a U.S. Border Agent, and Lee Gelernt, the Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project. Interestingly, most Democrats on the committee directed their questions solely to Gelernt.
Expressing his disappointment, Ballard said, “Very few questions were asked to me. They didn’t want to have a conversation with someone who actually knows what’s going on at the border. They didn’t want to have a conversation with someone who has witnessed child trafficking and has rescued children using the laws that have been on the books for decades. I’m the last person they want to talk to.”
What troubled Ballard the most was Gelernt’s repeated attempts to downplay and dismiss the fact that the government has lost track of 85,000 unaccompanied minors, many of whom he believes have fallen victim to sex trafficking and forced labor.
Lee Gelernt, Deputy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Immigrants’ Rights Project and witness for the minority provides testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security on September 13, 2023 (Screenshot/U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security).
“I just couldn’t believe it,” reflected Ballard. “He kept saying, ‘Those children are not missing. We don’t consider them missing.’ I was just thinking, ‘Are you kidding me?’ What is a missing kid, then? If a kid shows up in the care of the United States government and that kid leaves with someone they don’t know, and that person won’t respond, that’s a missing child. Downplaying the tragic plight of children who have come into our country and are delivered into the hands of who knows who and for what purpose puts kids in danger. I don’t know why you would do anything to put kids in danger, so I’m very disappointed by what they were doing.”
The 85,000 Children
A report by the Council on Foreign Relations in March 2023 revealed that “immigration authorities encountered more than 152,000 unaccompanied minors at or near the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2022, an all-time high.”
However, the figure of 85,000 seems to have originated from a February 2023 article in The New York Times, which highlighted the increasing number of migrant children arriving in the United States and being exploited in jobs that violate child labor laws.
While this issue of migrant child labor has been growing for nearly a decade, the numbers have skyrocketed since President Joe Biden took office. Unfortunately, the systems meant to protect these children from exploitation have simultaneously broken down or been eliminated.
The New York Times states that 130,000 unaccompanied minors entered the U.S. in 2022, three times the rate of five years ago. It is important to note that these children are not entering the country undetected; the federal government is aware of their presence. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for ensuring that sponsors support and protect these children from trafficking or exploitation.
However, due to the increasing influx of unaccompanied children, the Biden administration has been pressuring shelter staff to quickly release them to sponsors without thorough vetting.
While HHS attempts to check on all minors by contacting them a month after they are placed with sponsors, The New York Times obtained data revealing that the department was unable to reach 85,000 of the released unaccompanied children.
During a meeting of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs on April 18, HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement Director Robin Dunn Marcos was unable to provide answers regarding the loss of contact with over 85,000 unaccompanied children in the past two years and the lack of vetting for sponsors.
Mr. Ballard believes that the “solutions” to the child trafficking problem lie in the SECURE Act. On September 12, he joined Rep. Chris Smith in introducing the Safeguarding Endangered Children, Unaccompanied and at Risk of Exploitation (SECURE) Act of 2023. This act would require the administration to file reports detailing their efforts to locate, contact, and conduct wellness checks on the estimated 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children who have been lost track of after being released from federal custody. It would also mandate investigations into any suspected cases of human trafficking related to these children.
“This legislation is exactly where we need to start,” Ballard emphasized. “This is an emergency, and we need to stop the bleeding. We must save children and save them now.”
How can concerned citizens support the fight against child sex trafficking and urge elected officials to prioritize the safety and well-being of these vulnerable children
As a former special agent for the Department of Homeland Security, Tim Ballard has dedicated his life to fighting against child sex trafficking. His work and experiences are highlighted in the movie ‘Sound of Freedom’. Recently, Ballard appeared before the House Committee on Homeland Security to shed light on the alarming situation of unaccompanied minors and children being sold into sex trafficking. However, he expressed his disappointment at the Democrats’ apparent downplaying of this critical issue.
During the committee hearing, Ballard was struck by the Democrats’ refusal to address the issue of the 85,000 missing unaccompanied minors. Instead, they chose to focus on the separation policy that occurred three years ago under the Trump administration, which temporarily separated around 5,500 children from their families. While any unjust separation of families is indeed a matter of concern, it is disheartening to see the current plight of thousands of children being overshadowed and neglected.
In an interview with The Epoch Times, Ballard expressed his frustration, stating, “Clearly, they were trying to distract and deflect because there is no separation of families policy right now. But there is an urgent situation going on with thousands of children right now.” It is essential to address the immediate and pressing issue at hand, rather than diverting attention to past policies that have already been addressed.
According to the data and information Ballard has gathered, including from the president of Guatemala, a shocking 70-75% of the children and women from Guatemala who make the journey to the United States have experienced sexual abuse and exploitation along the way. These vulnerable individuals are not just being used as pawns; they are being bought and subjected to unimaginable abuse for the financial gain of traffickers.
The story of these unaccompanied minors and the tragic reality of child sex trafficking should be at the forefront of political discussions. It is crucial for politicians, regardless of party affiliation, to acknowledge and address this urgent issue with the gravity it deserves. These children are in desperate need of assistance, protection, and justice, and it is the responsibility of the government and its representatives to act swiftly and effectively.
Tim Ballard’s testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security serves as an important reminder of the ongoing battle against child sex trafficking. It is a call to action for politicians to set aside partisan agendas and unite in prioritizing the safety and well-being of these vulnerable children. Ignoring their plight only perpetuates their suffering and perpetuates the crimes committed against them.
As concerned citizens, we must amplify the voices of those like Tim Ballard who dedicate their lives to fighting against child sex trafficking. We must urge our elected officials to address this pressing issue, allocate resources for victim support and identification, and take decisive actions to dismantle the networks of traffickers.
In a society that prides itself on justice and compassion, we cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of these innocent children. It is time for politicians to rise above partisan politics and work together to ensure the safety, protection, and freedom of all children, especially those who have already endured unimaginable horrors. The fight against child sex trafficking requires collective action, and it cannot be undermined or downplayed for political convenience.
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