The Trump admin’s been reshaping border security policy. Nothing will ever be the same.
Especially after border patrol leaks have uncovered what the Trump admin is doing with children at the border.
Trump Administration’s Efforts To Save Thousands Of Children
On Friday, Border Czar Tom Homan announced that border officials have successfully located approximately 10,000 of the 300,000 unaccompanied migrant children who were unaccounted for during the Biden administration. This statement was made during an appearance on Fox & Friends, where Homan emphasized the significance of these efforts.
In a recent operation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a raid on a marijuana facility in Camarillo, California, as confirmed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott on Thursday. The raid resulted in the discovery of eight unaccompanied minors and two other juveniles. Homan noted that since President Donald Trump’s return to office, around 10,000 children have been recovered.
Homan expressed frustration over the lack of media coverage, stating, “We’re searching for over 300,000 missing children, and we’ve already found about 10,000. This isn’t being reported widely because the media isn’t covering it.” He stressed that protecting public safety and rescuing children should be a bipartisan priority, saying, “Addressing threats to public safety and national security, and rescuing children, should unite everyone.”
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report from August 2024 revealed that approximately 291,000 unaccompanied migrant children did not receive court notices after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally. Additionally, ICE lost track of over 32,000 children released from custody since 2019.
According to The New York Times, under the Biden administration, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) managed to reunite only about one-third of unaccompanied children with their parents. The rest were placed with relatives or in homes deemed unsuitable for children, as found by an internal investigation conducted by the inspector general.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, criticized ICE’s actions at Glass House Farms, calling President Trump “scum” in a post on X. He described distressing scenes of children fleeing tear gas and crying as their mothers were detained in the fields.
The operation at the farm led to clashes between federal agents and protesters, with agents deploying tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd, according to Fox News. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California announced a $50,000 reward for information regarding an individual who reportedly fired a pistol at federal law enforcement during the incident.
Trump Administration’s Border Security Efforts
The Trump administration has prioritized border security, achieving significant results in reducing illegal border crossings and enhancing enforcement measures. Since President Trump took office in January 2025, the administration has implemented policies that have led to a dramatic decline in illegal border encounters, with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reporting a 94% decrease in Southwest border apprehensions in February 2025 compared to the previous year. This success is attributed to the reinstatement of stringent enforcement policies, including the termination of Biden-era programs like the CBP One app, which facilitated asylum processing, and the introduction of the CBP Home app to encourage self-deportation.
Under the leadership of Border Czar Tom Homan, a seasoned law enforcement veteran with over three decades of experience, the administration has focused on targeted operations to address public safety and national security threats. Homan’s strategy emphasizes humane yet effective enforcement, prioritizing the deportation of individuals posing risks to communities while ensuring families remain intact during the process. His approach has garnered support from federal law enforcement, with ICE arrests increasing by over 600% compared to the final year of the Biden administration, showcasing a robust commitment to immigration enforcement.
One of the administration’s notable achievements is the rescue of approximately 10,000 unaccompanied migrant children, addressing a critical issue inherited from the previous administration. The DHS OIG report highlighted that over 291,000 children did not receive court notices, and 32,000 were unaccounted for after release from custody. The Trump administration’s proactive measures, including ICE raids like the one at Glass House Farms in California, have led to the recovery of vulnerable children.
The administration has also resumed construction of the border wall, with over 85 miles in various stages of planning and construction. This initiative fulfills a key campaign promise to enhance physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border, further deterring illegal crossings. Reports from outlets like NewsNation and the Santa Fe New Mexican confirm ongoing efforts in Texas and New Mexico, contributing to a 99% reduction in “gotaways”—undetected illegal border crossers—since January 2025.
Homan’s role as Border Czar, operating directly from the White House, allows for streamlined policy implementation and coordination with agencies like ICE, CBP, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His direct reporting to President Trump ensures rapid decision-making, bypassing traditional bureaucratic hurdles. This structure has been praised by former DHS officials for its efficiency in addressing complex immigration challenges.
The administration’s efforts extend beyond border control to interior enforcement, with a renewed focus on worksite operations. Unlike the Biden administration, which scaled back such activities, Trump’s policies target employers exploiting undocumented labor, aiming to disrupt illegal employment networks. Homan has emphasized that these operations are intelligence-driven, focusing on criminal activities like forced labor and trafficking, ensuring a strategic approach to enforcement.
President Trump’s designation of criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as Foreign Terrorist Organizations has bolstered efforts to dismantle cartel operations. Over 150,000 aliens, including 600 members of Tren de Aragua, have been arrested, demonstrating a hardline stance against migrant-related crime. These actions have been complemented by executive orders banning taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants, further discouraging unauthorized migration.
Despite challenges, such as resistance from sanctuary cities and legal battles over funding for legal representation for unaccompanied minors, the administration has made significant strides. The reinstatement of policies like Remain in Mexico and Title 42 expulsions has collapsed smuggling networks, reducing illegal crossings to historic lows. Posts on X highlight a 72% drop in crossings, attributing this to Homan’s strategic oversight and aggressive enforcement tactics.
