Former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra is facing renewed criticism over the federal government’s handling of unaccompanied migrant children as his campaign for California governor gains momentum.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has made Becerra’s tenure at HHS a central campaign issue, citing new whistleblower allegations involving child labor, human trafficking, and inadequate oversight of migrant children who entered federal custody during the Biden administration.
The controversy follows previous reporting, including a 2023 New York Times investigation that found HHS had lost contact with more than 85,000 unaccompanied migrant children over a two-year period after they were released to sponsors. More recently, former HHS senior adviser Chris Clem, who joined the department in 2025 after a long career with the U.S. Border Patrol, claimed the number of children whose whereabouts remain unknown could exceed 130,000.
Clem argued that Becerra, who led HHS from 2021 to early 2025, should have exercised greater oversight of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the agency responsible for caring for unaccompanied migrant children. During Becerra’s tenure, nearly 480,000 migrant children entered ORR custody.
Additional allegations from a former caseworker at a Southern California emergency intake center claim some children were released to inadequately vetted sponsors, separated from siblings, or later became victims of labor or sex trafficking. Those allegations have not been independently verified.
Hilton argues that the controversy raises serious questions about Becerra’s leadership and fitness to serve as governor. Speaking about Becerra’s campaign, Hilton said, “This is going to be a defining issue for Becerra because it defines him.” He also criticized Becerra’s record at HHS, stating, “He failed the most basic task of humanity and decency, which is protecting the vulnerable children that were in his care.”
Becerra has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. As California’s gubernatorial race continues, his record leading HHS is expected to remain a central issue in the campaign.
