Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC-01) has introduced the No More Missing Children Act, a bill aimed at addressing the issue of unaccompanied alien children (UACs) who are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation. The legislation proposes the creation of the Unaccompanied Alien Child Anti-Trafficking Program, which would implement new safeguards for these children.
According to data cited by Mace’s office, more than 32,000 unaccompanied alien children have been unaccounted for by ICE during the Biden Administration, and nearly 291,000 were released without proper documentation. The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women estimates that 60% of unaccompanied migrant children are exploited by cartels through child pornography and drug trafficking.
Under an initiative during President Trump’s administration to locate missing children, authorities found 22,638 minors and arrested over 400 sponsors. However, 27 minors were discovered dead due to murder, suicide, or drug overdose.
“The Biden Administration’s reckless negligence left unaccompanied alien children to roam a lawless system, preyed upon by traffickers, predators, and cartels,” said Congresswoman Mace. “As a mother and a lawmaker, we refuse to sit by while children are exploited. Building on President Trump’s mission to rescue missing children, our No More Missing Children Act restores law and order and takes the fight to the criminals exploiting our immigration system.”
The proposed act would require extensive vetting of sponsors and all adult members of their households using biometric and DNA information. It also mandates continuous GPS monitoring of both child and sponsor, pre-placement home inspections with follow-up unannounced visits after placement, monthly telephonic check-ins, and immediate re-assumption of custody if a child is endangered or program conditions are violated.
The legislation bars individuals with criminal backgrounds—including gang members, sex offenders, or those with terrorist ties—from obtaining custody of UACs. Sponsors who do not comply with program requirements would lose custody permanently.
By codifying these measures into law, Rep. Mace aims to reinforce efforts begun under President Trump’s administration to track down missing children and bring accountability to what she describes as a broken system.
Mace has also introduced other bills related to immigration enforcement and child protection. These include acts imposing penalties on violent offenders in the country illegally; expanding expedited removal authority; blocking funding for colleges offering benefits to illegal immigrants; removing tax perks from sanctuary cities; barring entry for individuals linked to terrorism; increasing sentencing for deepfakes targeting women and children; banning certain medical procedures for minors; requiring rapid reporting of dangerous children’s products; prohibiting registered sex offenders from emergency shelters shared with women and children during disasters; banning critical race theory in Department of War schools; and ensuring fair sports opportunities for female military dependents.
Nancy Mace currently serves in the U.S. Congress representing South Carolina’s 1st district since replacing Joe Cunningham in 2021 (https://www.congress.gov/member/nancy-mace/M001212). Before her time in Congress, she served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 2018 until 2020 (https://scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=1188636597). Born in Fort Bragg in 1977, she lives in Charleston at age 45. She graduated from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1999.
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