Full Measure After Hours: Whistleblower Reveals US Government’s Role in Child Trafficking

Episode: After Hours: Whistleblower: US Govt. Implicated in Child Trafficking
Host: Sharyl Attkisson
Release Date: November 14, 2024

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Full Measure After Hours, host Sharyl Attkisson delves into a deeply concerning issue: the lapses within the U.S. government’s management of child migrants entering the country illegally. Through an exclusive interview with Deborah White, a federal employee turned whistleblower, listeners gain an inside look into how inadequate vetting processes have potentially facilitated child trafficking rings.

Deborah White’s Background and Role

Deborah White, a seasoned professional from the General Services Administration, brings a wealth of experience in contracting and project management. In 2021, amidst a surge of illegal child migrants at the southern border, White was assigned a temporary role that would expose systemic failures in the handling and protection of these vulnerable children.

Deborah White [01:43]: "In the summer of 2021... the executive branch called for all employees to support the crisis at the southern border... We had facilities like Pomona, California, processing busloads of children."

The Onset of the Crisis

Responding to an urgent call from the executive branch, White was deployed to Pomona, California, one of 14 emergency intake sites nationwide. Her initial responsibilities included overseeing the immediate care of children—medical processing, feeding, and basic case management.

Deborah White [03:12]: "We had tons of kids coming up from the southern border to facilities across the country."

Failures in Sponsor Vetting

White highlights the critical shortcomings in the vetting process for sponsors—the individuals or relatives in the U.S. responsible for the care of these children. The process was predominantly a self-certification system conducted remotely, primarily via WhatsApp, without face-to-face verification.

Deborah White [03:55]: "We never actually see the sponsor face to face. Everything is sent by WhatsApp."

Further compounding the issue, many documents provided by sponsors were outdated, with some expired by up to two years, undermining the credibility and reliability of the information used to approve sponsorships.

Deborah White [04:52]: "We were instructed to take documents that were expired up to two years. It was a self-certification process."

Emergence of Trafficking Concerns

As White delved deeper into her role, she began noticing alarming patterns that suggested the involvement of traffickers and criminal organizations. Her investigative efforts uncovered cases where children were released to sponsors linked to cartels and gangs, raising red flags about potential exploitation.

Deborah White [07:44]: "One brother admitted he was in debt bondage, fearing for his family if he didn’t repay his debt."

In one significant case in Houston, Texas, White discovered that 329 children were being released to a single sponsor, indicating a possible pyramid scheme facilitating the trafficking of minors.

Deborah White [19:51]: "When you have 329 children... that you've got something criminal."

Government Response and Retaliation

Upon exposing these discrepancies, White faced resistance from within the government. Colleagues and superiors dismissed her findings, questioning her methods and undermining her credibility. Attempts to seek support were met with hostility, and she was reprimanded for pursuing information about the children’s welfare post-release.

Deborah White [21:28]: "Adriana Lynch told me... it's not your responsibility... you are not to call, looking, inquiring about them at other shelters."

Despite these challenges, White remained steadfast, emphasizing the systemic nature of the problem and the urgent need for accountability.

Implications and Broader Impact

White’s revelations suggest that over 30 cases may involve trafficking, with potentially hundreds of children affected nationwide. The lack of comprehensive vetting and inter-agency communication has allowed traffickers to exploit loopholes, placing children in dangerous and abusive situations.

Deborah White [14:07]: "We have, I don't know, close to 500,000 kids now that have crossed the border in the past three years."

She argues that the root cause is the open border policy, which necessitates stringent measures to prevent trafficking and ensure the safety of child migrants.

Recommendations and Call to Action

In her concluding remarks, Deborah White urges listeners to take action by contacting their senators and representatives. She advocates for the reinstatement of thorough vetting processes, including DNA testing to verify family relationships, and stricter oversight of sponsorship programs.

Deborah White [24:37]: "I really want to just ask every American to please contact your senators, contact your representatives, tell them that we cannot stand for this."

White also highlights upcoming legislative efforts aimed at reversing the problematic rule changes enacted in July 2023, which she asserts have exacerbated the trafficking issue.

Conclusion

Sharyl Attkisson’s Full Measure After Hours episode sheds light on a critical and often overlooked humanitarian crisis. Through Deborah White’s courageous whistleblowing, listeners are exposed to the systemic failures that endanger child migrants. The episode serves as a powerful call to action, emphasizing the need for immediate reforms to protect some of the nation’s most vulnerable individuals.

For a comprehensive understanding and ongoing coverage, tune in to the full episode on Full Measure Sunday and visit FullMeasure.News.

Notable Quotes:

• Deborah White [04:52]: "This is a self-certification process. Right. And you never see the sponsor face to face."
• Deborah White [19:51]: "When you have 329 children... that you've got something criminal."
• Deborah White [24:37]: "Tell them that we cannot stand for this."

Further Information:

To learn more about the issues discussed in this episode or to support ongoing efforts to reform child migrant processing, visit SharylAttkisson.com and follow Full Measure on FullMeasure.News.