HHS Insider Accuses Xavier Becerra Of Mishandling Migrant Children Crisis
A former senior official at the Department of Health and Human Services is accusing former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra of failing to properly oversee the care and placement of tens of thousands of migrant children, arguing that his leadership allowed vulnerable minors to fall into dangerous situations, including exploitation and forced labor.
The allegations were made by Jonathan White, a longtime HHS official who previously led efforts involving unaccompanied migrant children. White claimed that Becerra failed to address mounting warnings about weaknesses in the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s oversight of children released to sponsors after crossing the southern border. According to White, repeated concerns about inadequate follow-up and insufficient safeguards were not given the attention they deserved.
The controversy intensified after reports that thousands of migrant children could not be readily contacted after being released from federal custody. Investigations also uncovered cases in which children were allegedly placed into unsafe living situations, with some later found working in hazardous jobs or becoming victims of labor exploitation. White argued that stronger oversight and more aggressive reforms could have prevented many of those outcomes.
Becerra served as HHS secretary from 2021 through early 2025, overseeing the agency responsible for caring for unaccompanied migrant children after they are transferred from federal immigration authorities. During his tenure, the department faced record numbers of migrant children entering the United States, creating significant challenges for the shelter system and sponsor placement process.
Becerra has defended his record, pointing to efforts by HHS to reduce shelter overcrowding, improve processing times, and reunite children with relatives or qualified sponsors more quickly. Supporters of the former secretary have argued that the surge in migrant arrivals placed extraordinary strain on the system and that many of the underlying problems predated his leadership.
The accusations come as Becerra campaigns for governor of California, placing renewed attention on his tenure at HHS and his handling of one of the Biden administration’s most scrutinized immigration challenges. The criticism is expected to become a major issue in the gubernatorial race as opponents argue that his management of the migrant children program reflects broader concerns about his leadership and administrative record.