Federal lawmakers debating over number of migrant children unaccounted for in the United States

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The Committee on Oversight and Accountability questioned the director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement on Tuesday, specifically questioning Director Robin Dunn Marcos on the number of unaccompanied migrant children who they are no longer in contact with.

“I think you’re telling us that you don’t disagree with the 85,000 number of children that we’ve lost contact with. I’m not saying you lost them. I’m saying you’ve lost contact with them. We don’t know where those kids are. Is that fair to say,” asked Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Arizona).

“We attempt to make a safety and wellbeing call," responded Director Marcos.

Director Dunn Marcos has only been in her position since September of 2022. The data reflecting the 85,000 migrant children that are unaccounted for stretches back to 2021.

El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar addressed the thousands of children that the government has lost contact with during a House Judiciary Committee Markup Review Wednesday morning.

ABC-7 has reached out to the office of Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas). We have not received a response.