On Thanksgiving Day, while families across the United States gathered to celebrate, a sobbing 10-year-old boy was found alone at the southern border by Texas State Troopers. Human smugglers had abandoned him, leaving him scared, confused, and searching for his parents, who had already crossed into the U.S
The boy, a native of El Salvador, was discovered crying and talking to an officer. A video of the heartbreaking moment captured the depth of his despair. Commentator Collin Rugg described the scene, writing, “Crying 10-year-old boy found alone by Texas State Troopers on Thanksgiving… trying to find his parents who had already entered the country.”
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by migrants, particularly children, on their journeys. Lieutenant Chris Olivarez of the Texas Department of Public Safety reflected on the somber reality:
“As many of us are celebrating Thanksgiving with our families and friends, let’s not forget many children will not get to enjoy the holidays or see their families because they have been placed in a dire situation due to open border conditions.”
This isn’t an isolated incident. Reports of migrant children being abandoned, exploited, or trafficked have surged alongside record-breaking numbers at the U.S.-Mexico border. Recent data reveals the Biden Administration has lost track of over 320,000 migrant children who entered the country. These missing children highlight a crisis that threatens both humanitarian and national security interests.
The Human Toll of a Broken System
The boy’s story underscores a broader pattern of exploitation and violence that has emerged under current border conditions. Human smugglers, motivated by profit, subject migrants to harrowing journeys filled with risks—abandonment, trafficking, and violence are tragically common.
In recent days, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released statements about removing dangerous criminals who had entered the country unlawfully. On November 25, Edwin Fernando Figueroa-Martinez, a Honduran fugitive wanted for murder, was deported after being arrested in Illinois. Similarly, on November 22, ICE deported Guilherme Rodrigues Silva Rocha, a Brazilian citizen convicted in absentia for a violent sexual assault. These cases illustrate the dual challenge of protecting American communities while addressing the humanitarian crises at the border.
Sam Olson, ERO Chicago Field Office Director, reinforced this responsibility:
“We will do everything within our authority to locate, arrest, and detain those noncitizens that attempt to hide within our nation from being held responsible for crimes in their country of origin.”
The Need for a Balanced Approach
The tragic image of a crying child on Thanksgiving is a stark contrast to the American holiday’s ideals of family and gratitude. But it also raises difficult questions. How can the U.S. uphold its values of compassion while ensuring its borders are secure? How can it protect vulnerable children from being exploited by criminal networks while prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of American citizens?
Lt. Olivarez’s call for action resonates deeply:
“We are a providential nation. But the elites have created an anti-culture that puts countless lives, including children, at risk.”
This is the struggle America faces—a nation caught between compassion for the desperate and the duty to protect its citizens. Stories like this remind us that border security isn’t just about policies or numbers; it’s about human lives. It’s about children, like the boy found on Thanksgiving, who pay the price for a broken system.
As the U.S. grapples with this complex challenge, one thing is clear: securing the border and combating human trafficking must remain a priority. For the sake of children like this young boy and for the future of the nation, America must find a way forward that upholds its values and puts its people first.