Trump Immigration Advisor Exposes Fraud in Sponsorship of Unaccompanied Minors

A former Border Patrol chief, recruited to advise on immigration matters concerning unaccompanied minors for the Trump administration’s early days, recently revealed that approximately 70% of sponsorship applications are fraudulent.

Chris Clem, who boasts nearly three decades of service with Customs and Border Protection, highlights that the Trump administration is tackling significant challenges related to the influx of nearly 470,000 unaccompanied minors entering the United States in recent years. He described how this overwhelming situation has strained systems intended to ensure the safety and welfare of children.

Clem explains that the flawed system, with broken policies, has led to many children being placed with sponsors who were either inadequately vetted or outright criminal elements. He emphasized his role in leveraging his 27 years of Border Patrol experience to institute sensible practices and policies to rectify the situation.

To enhance the vetting process, Clem collaborated with President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services Department. This initiative strives to improve the quality of documentation submitted by sponsors seeking to care for unaccompanied minors.

Furthermore, authorities are actively pursuing individuals who provided falsified documentation to become sponsors.

Clem shares a troubling case from Ohio, where a sponsor purportedly posed as an adult brother of a 14-year-old girl. This individual was accepted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement but was not the appropriate guardian. Tragically, the girl suffered abuse, leading to her pregnancy, and the sponsor was later apprehended.

Despite the evident danger, the federal government did not initially pursue fraud charges against this individual, leaving that task to state authorities.

Clem outlines how this particular case culminated in federal indictments for trafficking and lying to federal agents. The prosecution’s efforts have begun to hold perpetrators accountable, promising a significant sentence for the involved parties.

Clem notes that the Justice Department documented this alarming case earlier this year, charging a Guatemalan man with crimes against the girl.

The former Border Patrol chief expresses alarm over the volume of cases suggesting abuse and criminal behavior against minors. Data from internal investigations revealed that approximately 70% of sponsor applications contain unverifiable or incorrect information. Documents submitted for approval were often invalid, leading to a misplacement of vulnerable children.

Despite these sad realities, Clem affirms that teams within the Trump administration maintain vigilance against the criminal activities surrounding unaccompanied minors. They are working tirelessly to counteract illegal actions that have proliferated in response to years of lax border security.

The ongoing battle for enhanced border security has also shown some signs of progress. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported an average of 279 apprehensions daily at the southern border in April 2023, a marked contrast to the staggering 4,297 apprehensions per day in April 2024. The total number of apprehensions for April this year stood at 8,383, significantly lower than the previous year’s record of 129,000.

Clem recalls the previous chaotic conditions he faced in Yuma, Arizona, where daily arrests surpassed one thousand just a few months earlier. Now, the average has dropped substantially to four arrests per day. This shift has transformed the agents’ ability to control the situation, allowing for stronger measures to patrol and secure the border.

In addition, Clem emphasized the return of normalcy for Border Patrol agents. They can now use facilities previously occupied by makeshift tents to process migrants, providing relief after the pressures of managing large numbers of people had disrupted regular operations.

The role of Border Patrol agents is becoming more manageable and focused, fostering a renewed commitment to national security. Agents can now engage in targeted operations to apprehend individuals eluding capture, collaborating with various law enforcement agencies to address existing threats in the country.

However, Clem expressed deep concern over the perceived complicity among certain U.S. officials—including politicians and legal professionals—who appear to undermine immigration laws. His message to those individuals is clear: the administration will pursue legal accountability for anyone aiding or abetting illegal immigration, regardless of their status or position—whether they are minors involved in smuggling or high-ranking officials.

The commitment to uphold the law is unwavering, aiming to dismantle illegal networks threatening U.S. borders. Clem underscored that the federal government will scrutinize anyone involved in facilitating illegal activities, regardless of their guise.

Data released on U.S. border crossings illustrated a notable decline in activity. Reports indicate that March 2023 holds the record for the fewest southwest border crossings in history, with total apprehensions remaining lower than the numbers seen at the onset of earlier administration efforts. In total, 7,181 illegal crossings were recorded for March, reflecting a 14% drop from February’s totals and a staggering 95% decrease compared to the number apprehended in the same month in 2024.

Fox News contributed to this report, with feedback from reporters Anders Hagstrom, Bill Melugin, and Peter Pinedo.