FILE – Migrants wait to be removed and processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, May 12, 2023. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
A family is alleging that a three-year-old immigrant girl experienced sexual abuse while in a protective care home after being separated from her mother by immigration officials. This troubling incident highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of minors in custody.
After crossing the U.S.-Mexico border with her mother, the young girl was taken into federal custody, as reported by the Associated Press. In a disheartening twist, her father attempted to facilitate her reunification several months later, only to be informed by government officials that he could not schedule an appointment for the necessary fingerprinting process.
In 2025, the Trump administration initiated a series of policies targeting immigrant children in custody, which notably extended their detention periods. This shift in policy raised alarms among advocates for immigrant rights, who claim it could exacerbate the risks faced by vulnerable populations within the system.
Details of the Allegations Against Foster Care Facility
The Associated Press has obtained court documents indicating that the girl reported sexual abuse by an older child at a foster care facility in Harlingen, Texas. According to the complaint, a caregiver observed that the girl’s underwear was incorrectly positioned. The girl subsequently disclosed to her caregivers that she had been abused multiple times, resulting in bleeding.
An official from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) informed the girl’s father during an interview that his daughter would undergo testing due to a reported “accident.” The ongoing lawsuit involves the federal ORR and its parent agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.
Official Responses to the Incident
The father expressed his frustration with the lack of information regarding his daughter’s condition, stating, “I asked them, ‘What happened? I want to know. I’m her father. I want to know what’s going on,’ and they just told me they couldn’t give me any more information, that they were investigating.” His daughter underwent a forensic examination and an interview, but he was not updated on the findings. Meanwhile, the older child accused of the abuse was removed from the foster care program.
In addition to these troubling allegations, attorney Lauren Fisher Flores, representing the girl, confirmed to the Associated Press that subsequent reports of the alleged abuse have been filed with local authorities.
Implications of Policy Changes Under the Trump Administration
On September 16 of last year, the girl and her mother crossed the border illegally near El Paso. Following the mother’s charges of making false statements, the pair was separated, and the toddler was placed under the custody of the ORR, which provides care for immigrant children in shelters and foster homes. These children are typically released to parents or sponsors, but strict procedural guidelines, which intensified during the Trump administration, complicate this process.
Under the new regulations, there has been a notable increase in the documentation required from sponsors. Reports indicate that border officials began pressuring unaccompanied children to leave voluntarily prior to their transfer to shelters. Furthermore, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has escalated its actions by arresting some individuals during the release process.
Source: Information for this story was provided by The Associated Press, citing the girl’s attorney and court documents in the case obtained by The Associated Press. This article was reported from Washington, DC.
