Sarasota Review

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced the House companion bill to the Stop Government Abandonment and Placement Scandals Act of 2025, known as the Stop GAPS Act. This legislation was initially presented by Senator Ashley Moody (R-Fla.). The proposed act aims to reform the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) under the Department of Health and Human Services to enhance protection for unaccompanied migrant children arriving in the United States.

Rep. Steube criticized current policies, stating, “It’s no secret that the Biden administration’s open border policies were an abject disaster. Not only did they allow for a migrant invasion, but a red carpet was rolled out for dangerous criminals to prey on vulnerable youth.” He emphasized that many unaccompanied migrant children were misplaced or lost after processing through ORR.

The current law permits ORR to place unaccompanied children with any adult or entity seeking custody. Rep. Steube argued against this practice, asserting that "no responsible parent would ever leave their child with a random stranger." The Stop GAPS Act seeks to require ORR collaboration with state and local authorities for thorough vetting before granting custody of any unaccompanied child.

Senator Moody expressed pride in existing protective measures but stressed further action is needed. She remarked, “The Biden administration did historic damage to our country’s immigration and national security structures... We will continue to work with President Trump to not only reverse the failures of the Biden administration but ensure that it can never happen again.”

Background information highlights issues such as thousands of sexual abuse allegations related to minors processed through ORR during the Biden administration and significant lapses in oversight and contact with these children.