Inside the Exploitation of Migrant Children at America’s Southern Border

 

A staggering number of vulnerable migrant children were swept into a clandestine web of abuse, trafficking, and labor exploitation under the chaotic border policies of the Biden administration, according to whistleblowers and federal insiders. This so-called “conveyor belt” of exploitation is now under scrutiny, as the Trump administration enacts measures to shut it down.

 

 

Between 2019 and 2023, the Department of Homeland Security encountered 448,000 unaccompanied minors. Many of them, some as young as five, arrived at the border with only phone numbers scrawled on their arms or clothing. These children were swiftly moved to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and handed off to private contractors who, according to insiders, failed to properly verify their supposed sponsors.

 

 

Morgan Lerette, a former Army intelligence officer and Blackwater contractor, revealed the mechanics of this abuse to The Post. “The officers were literally handing the kids right back off to the other side of the smuggling rings in the US,” he said. Lerette described how smuggling networks used fake paperwork and unverified addresses, some leading to storage units or strip clubs, to claim custody of children. “American taxpayers are essentially paying for child sex trafficking,” Lerette charged. “It’s a conveyor belt. It’s all about using private military companies and nonprofits to shift accountability. But DHS owns the entire supply chain, just through contracts.”

 

 

In one 2024 case, Homeland Security Investigations uncovered a smuggling operation using melatonin-sedated children under the age of five and the birth certificates of U.S. citizen children to sneak them across the border from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, into Texas. ICE reported that the children were later dropped off at stash houses before being dispersed throughout the country. Vanessa Valadez, 23, and five co-conspirators later pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.

 

 

A veteran Border Patrol agent, speaking anonymously, echoed Lerette’s concerns. “Anyone could claim they are parents or relatives of the children and there was no way to verify it. All anyone had to go off is unverified claims by the children themselves or phone numbers,” he said.

Under the Trump administration, new protocols have been enacted to stop this practice. Sponsors must now present U.S. identification or green card documentation, proof of income, agree to fingerprinting, and, when claiming familial ties, submit to DNA testing.

 

 

 

The scale of the problem remains daunting. In March, the DHS Office of the Inspector General revealed that 233,000 children had no formal paperwork filed by ICE and now must be tracked down. Of those, 31,000 had incorrect or commercial addresses listed for sponsors, while 43,000 missed their scheduled court dates. According to the New York Times, the Department of Health and Human Services has lost contact with at least 85,000 migrant children.

 

Tom Homan, a former ICE director, described the harrowing reality faced by some of these missing children: a 14-year-old pregnant girl found living with adult men, children working on ranches or chicken farms, and others trapped in grueling labor conditions in slaughterhouses, clothing factories, and fields supplying major U.S. brands. “It’s sex trafficking, child labor, exploiting the families,” said Lerette.

 

Southwest Key, the largest private provider of shelter for unaccompanied minors, came under fire after a 2023 Department of Justice lawsuit alleged widespread abuse across its 29 shelters. The complaint documented over 100 reports of sexual abuse, including rape and coercion. One disturbing case involved a youth care worker at Casa Franklin in El Paso who allegedly abused several young girls and threatened to harm their families if they spoke out. At Casa Montezuma, another girl wrote of her alleged abuser: “He can do whatever he pleases because he is a Shift Leader, he’s the boss.”

 

Though Southwest Key denied the allegations represented the full scope of its work, Trump’s administration ended the company’s nearly $3 billion contract in March, leading to the furlough of 5,000 staff. The DOJ lawsuit was subsequently dropped.

 

Despite the crackdown, questions remain over how so many children were lost to a system meant to protect them — and whether the damage can ever truly be undone.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from NYP  2025-07-12

 

 

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

using melatonin-sedated children

Melatonin will not sedate a person. Complete BS! Guess that counts for the rest of this "report" too. I am not a Biden fan or would support the Dems in any way, god forbid. But please at least try harder.

3 hours ago, CHdiver said:

Melatonin will not sedate a person. Complete BS! Guess that counts for the rest of this "report" too. I am not a Biden fan or would support the Dems in any way, god forbid. But please at least try harder.

OK Doctor. So you're saying the entire story is false or what?

8 hours ago, CHdiver said:

Melatonin will not sedate a person. Complete BS! Guess that counts for the rest of this "report" too. I am not a Biden fan or would support the Dems in any way, god forbid. But please at least try harder.

Where are the missing children from when Biden was President.

Distraction and gaslighting what nonsense trying to blame this humanitarian crisis on Biden….blame it on economics and violence in their home countries would be more accurate.

If you listened or watched "tomorrows news today" , you would know this 4 years ago.

They went to the Texas border as this was happening and showed video of it.

 

But good that even aseannow writes about it.

The number of missing children thanks to Biden's open border is about 300k,

much more than the 85k "lost contact".

 

So another conspiracy theory goes to FACT.

 

 

 

Illegal migration is a scourge. It exploits the vulnerable.

 

Trump deserves a medal. Biden deserves charges. 

4 hours ago, Tug said:

Distraction and gaslighting what nonsense trying to blame this humanitarian crisis on Biden….blame it on economics and violence in their home countries would be more accurate.

What an absurd comment.

18 hours ago, CHdiver said:

Melatonin will not sedate a person. Complete BS! Guess that counts for the rest of this "report" too. I am not a Biden fan or would support the Dems in any way, god forbid. But please at least try harder.

Wrong.

Although it is produced by the pineal gland, exogenous melatonin is often used as a supplement to treat jetlag and sleep disturbances, and its sedative, analgesic, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory effects have recently attracted considerable research attention.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278239119302575#:~:text=Although it is produced by,recently attracted considerable research attention.

Experimental data support the analgesic and sedative role of melatonin

https://www.cureus.com/articles/252039-a-comprehensive-review-on-the-role-of-melatonins-anesthetic-applications-in-pediatric-care#!/

The sedative and hypnotic effects of melatonin [11] support its possible use in anesthetic procedures, from premedication to induction of general anesthesia [15].

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4307299/

Also the article states it's being used on children under 5. So you're wrong about the sedative bit and completely wrong calling the whole article BS. 

4 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Wrong.

 

That is what AI tells an that is my personal experience with high doses melatonin also:

 

While melatonin does not have a strong sedative effect in the way that sleeping pills do, it can help promote sleepiness and improve sleep quality by regulating the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. It essentially helps create an environment conducive to sleep rather than directly knocking someone out. 

 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Melatonin as a sleep regulator:

  Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). 

   
• Not a traditional sedative:

  Unlike some medications that induce sleep, melatonin doesn't have a strong sedative effect. It won't make you feel drowsy or heavily sedated in the same way a sedative would. 

   
• Promotes sleepiness:

  Melatonin helps prepare the body for sleep by signaling that it's time to rest. This can make it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep quality. 

   
• May help with insomnia:

  For some people, particularly those with insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep), melatonin can be helpful in regulating their sleep patterns and promoting sleepiness. 

   
• Not a strong hypnotic:

  Melatonin is not as potent as a strong hypnotic drug that would cause a significant sedative effect. It's more of a gentle nudge towards sleepiness rather than a forceful push. 

   
• Individual responses vary:

  The effect of melatonin can vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience a greater sense of sleepiness than others. 

   
• Potential for use in anesthesia:

  Melatonin is being explored for its potential in anesthesia, including as a pre-medication to reduce anxiety and improve sleep during the perioperative period

The only question I have is "Where is the ACCOUNTABILITY?"

5 hours ago, dinsdale said:

What an absurd comment.

 

BDS.

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

 

BDS.

I do not suffer from Biden Dementia Syndrome. Only Biden does.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

I do not suffer from Biden Dementia Syndrome. Only Biden does.

 

Not meant like that lol. Biden delusion syndrome.

9 hours ago, FlorC said:

If you listened or watched "tomorrows news today" , you would know this 4 years ago.

They went to the Texas border as this was happening and showed video of it.

 

But good that even aseannow writes about it.

The number of missing children thanks to Biden's open border is about 300k,

much more than the 85k "lost contact".

 

So another conspiracy theory goes to FACT.

 

 

 

You can try to put the blame on Biden, but this is what happened,..................... “The officers were literally handing the kids right back off to the other side of the smuggling rings in the US,” he said. Lerette described how smuggling networks used fake paperwork and unverified addresses, some leading to storage units or strip clubs, to claim custody of children. “American taxpayers are essentially paying for child sex trafficking,” Lerette charged. “It’s a conveyor belt. It’s all about using private military companies and nonprofits to shift accountability...............Smuggling and human trafficking rings in the US aren't the fault of Biden but officials not knowing how to do their jobs safely, as far as the children were concerned, along with those in the US operating these rings. This has happened before while Trump, Obama and previous presidents were in office, and continues now, until those officials work their jobs competently, making sure the children are given to parents that can prove they are indeed their parents. 

On 7/12/2025 at 5:13 AM, CHdiver said:

Melatonin will not sedate a person. Complete BS! Guess that counts for the rest of this "report" too. I am not a Biden fan or would support the Dems in any way, god forbid. But please at least try harder.

So wrong, this is for children remember. Try harder to discredit a whole article based on your false information:

 

Melatonin use in children: Is a sleep aid supplement safe?

As a supplement, a small dose can trigger your body to produce melatonin that makes you feel sleepy and helps you fall asleep.

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/melatonin-use-in-children

 

 

1 hour ago, fredwiggy said:

You can try to put the blame on Biden, but this is what happened,..................... “The officers were literally handing the kids right back off to the other side of the smuggling rings in the US,” he said. Lerette described how smuggling networks used fake paperwork and unverified addresses, some leading to storage units or strip clubs, to claim custody of children. “American taxpayers are essentially paying for child sex trafficking,” Lerette charged. “It’s a conveyor belt. It’s all about using private military companies and nonprofits to shift accountability...............Smuggling and human trafficking rings in the US aren't the fault of Biden but officials not knowing how to do their jobs safely, as far as the children were concerned, along with those in the US operating these rings. This has happened before while Trump, Obama and previous presidents were in office, and continues now, until those officials work their jobs competently, making sure the children are given to parents that can prove they are indeed their parents. 

The officers were literally handing the kids right back off to the other side of the smuggling rings in the US

 

They were ordered to.

Blame Alejandro Mayorkas.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-floats-possible-mayorkas-arrest-at-alligator-alcatraz.html

 

Not really Biden , the senile dude was just eating icecream and sniffing women,

it's the autopen Biden admin .

4 minutes ago, FlorC said:

The officers were literally handing the kids right back off to the other side of the smuggling rings in the US

 

They were ordered to.

Blame Alejandro Mayorkas.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/trump-floats-possible-mayorkas-arrest-at-alligator-alcatraz.html

 

Not really Biden , the senile dude was just eating icecream and sniffing women,

it's the autopen Biden admin .

When you take sides, you're blind to the things your side does. Trump cheats on his wife and is a misogynist eating McDonalds all the time, while Biden wasn't totally there mentally and eats ice cream. Most presidents have shown their bad sides along the way.

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

When you take sides, you're blind to the things your side does.

Whoa , that is deep , dude !