Investigation sheds light on the abuse of migrant children

An investigation by the Associated Press found two dozen cases of abuse and exploitation within the child placement program.

During the surge of immigration in 2014, the AP found overburdened social workers were not conducting extensive background checks when placing Central American children with some sponsors and not following up with regular check-ins.

The Department of Health and Human Services says it’s opened new facilities to house minors and improved screening for host families and opened a call center where children and sponsors can report problems.

Two hundred and fifty undocumented immigrant children are now being housed at Holloman Air Force base in Alamagordo as the number of young migrants from Central America is again climbing.

Our New Mexico Mobile Newsroom will tour the base Monday.