DHS says schools are a focal point for missing‑children searches; cites large recovery figures

Reporters asked whether ICE actions in schools were appropriate when communities say they do not want enforcement operations there. Secretary Mullen said DHS is searching for children reported missing or believed to be victims of trafficking and described school visits as part of that effort.

"We're trying to locate these kids," the Secretary said, and urged cooperation from schools. He repeated several large numerical figures during the exchange—he stated that "450,000 kids are lost," that DHS located "over 2,900" children last month and cited a figure of roughly 180,000 children still under 18 in DHS counts. Those numeric statements were presented by the Secretary; the event did not include independent documentation of the totals.

Mullen also said DHS is using contractors and nonprofit groups to reduce alarm when agents approach schools and that states or school systems that refuse to cooperate create challenges for recovery efforts. Community advocates were not quoted at the event; reporters raised concerns about the practice of law‑enforcement presence in schools and the potential effect on students and families.