Kayla Hamilton Act: Addressing Inaccurate Addresses for Unaccompanied Minors

Concerns Raised by OIG Report

• 📌 The discussion centers on a US Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (OIG) report concerning the addresses of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) released or transferred from DHS and HHS custody.
• ⚠️ A significant finding is that ICE did not have accurate or complete addresses for most UACs transferred to HHS Office of Refugee Settlement (ORR) from 2019 to 2023.
• 🎯 Officers at multiple enforcement and removal operations (ERRO) locations reported receiving incomplete or commercial addresses for UACs instead of residences, with estimates suggesting incorrect addresses 80% of the time.

Failures in UAC Tracking and Placement

• 📍 In fiscal year 2023, HHSR released 34 UACs to two non-existent addresses, with only two of these UACs entering immigration proceedings and one failing to appear in court.
• 🔍 ICE was unaware of the whereabouts of approximately 600 UACs reported by HHS as having fled custody between 2019 and 2023.
• 🏃 One UAC reportedly fled five times in a single year, and another, who admitted to murder in their home country, had an international arrest warrant but had not been located or appeared in court as of August 2024.
• 🚨 An ERRO official noted a UAC who ran away multiple times, assaulted HHS staff, and admitted to being part of a Mexican cartel.

The Case for the Kayla Hamilton Act

• 💔 Kayla Hamilton was murdered by Walter Yavier Martinez, a UAC released by HHS to a sponsor before background checks were completed.
• ⚖️ Representative Hageman emphasizes that it is imperative to pass the Kayla Hamilton Act to address these critical failures in tracking and ensuring the safety of unaccompanied minors.
• 📞 A follow-up call revealed that a sponsor stated a minor had left their care months prior to be with his brother, engaging in activities similar to those that caused trouble in his home country, including associating with gang members.