Officials Say 146,000 Missing Migrant Children Located

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Thursday that 146,000 migrant children previously reported missing have been located. He added that nearly 300,000 others are still unaccounted for. Mullin stated at a press conference that the previous administration allowed "450,000 kids to go missing throughout this country." He said President Trump directed efforts to locate the children.

Justice announced Thursday that three people in Ohio face charges related to smuggling unaccompanied minors across the U.S. border. Prosecutors said the scheme ran from December 2020 to October 2023. Maritza Azucena Cahuec Coc, 38, and her brother Carlos Agustin Cahuec Coc, 33, also known as "Tuco," are accused of submitting fraudulent sponsorship applications to obtain custody of unaccompanied migrant children.

A third defendant, Gladys Marina Caal Chen, 20, is charged with making false statements on a sponsorship application. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the case involves individuals who took responsibility for three or more unrelated unaccompanied minors, some of whom later became victims of labor or sex trafficking.

"We will not accept half measures when it comes to securing the border, protecting American lives and saving children from exploitation," Blanche told reporters.