A retired U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent delivered stark testimony to the Senate on September 17, 2025, calling for immediate reforms to how federal agencies monitor unaccompanied alien children (UAC) after they’re placed with sponsors across the United States.
Chris Clem, who spent 27 years in federal law enforcement, told senators that current follow-up procedures are woefully inadequate given the scale of transnational criminal organization involvement at the border. His testimony highlighted a system that has prioritized speed of placement over child protection.
“First Call Needs Follow-Up with a Knock on the Door”
In his most pointed remarks, Clem emphasized that phone calls to sponsors are insufficient. “There is so much happening at the border and transnational criminal organizations have their hands in everything,” he testified. “First call to sponsors needs to be followed by a knock on the door, and, if necessary, a kick on the door, to find out if these kids are there, if they’re being taken care of.”
The veteran agent’s testimony comes after his 100-day deployment to reform the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Beginning in January 2025, he focused specifically on locating missing children and implementing systemic changes to prevent future cases.
System Prioritized Speed Over Safety
According to Clem’s written testimony, the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s sponsorship system has fundamental flaws that compromise child safety. He identified that ORR sponsorship falls into four categories, all requiring documentation and verification, but noted that “the system at ORR prioritized placement speed over protection of the children.”
Critical policy changes under the Biden Administration exacerbated these issues, Clem testified. The administration delayed Notice to Appear filings by 120 days, which “impeded the ability of the federal government to track and monitor UACs after release from ORR custody.” Additionally, ORR field guidance in 2021 relaxed sponsor vetting procedures.
Border Security Foundation Under Threat
Clem’s testimony emphasized the interconnected nature of border security challenges. “Without border security, our agents, our community, the migrants, and our country are vulnerable,” he stated. He argued that without proper physical security, border patrol agents, strong policies, and consequences, “the integrity of the immigration system is compromised and the founding principles surrounding the rule of law suffer.”
This vulnerability is “exceptionally prominent when dealing with unaccompanied alien children,” according to his testimony.
Exclusive Interview Details Reform Efforts
In May 2025, Executive Editor Kristina Tanasichuk sat down with Clem to discuss his 100-day deployment to reform the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, the very facts he testified to in this past week’s hearing. The interview provides detailed insight into how Chris led his team in reorganizing operations, improving key policies and practices, and reprioritizing child protection during his critical reform mission.
Listen to Kristina’s full interview with Chris Clem: 100 Days of Impact: Reshaping the Fight Against Child Trafficking
Expert Background
Clem brings extensive frontline experience to these policy discussions. He began his career in 1995 in Lordsburg, New Mexico, as a Border Patrol Trainee and retired on December 31, 2022, as the Senior Executive Service Chief Patrol Agent in Yuma, Arizona. His 27-year career in federal law enforcement gave him direct insight into both border operations and the challenges facing unaccompanied minors in federal custody, and this recent testimony – built on months of hands-on reform work within the very system he critiqued – provides lawmakers with both policy recommendations and practical implementation experience.