US dropping FBI fingerprint tests for caregivers at migrant facilities

The Biden administration is using a less stringent standard to vet those caring for thousands of unaccompanied minors in migrant facilities at the border, according to a report.

Instead of subjecting caregivers to FBI fingerprint checks, which could reveal those using fake identities or changed names, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Department is simply relying on public records checks as it screens such workers, HHS said in a statement.

While FBI fingerprint tests rely on proprietary criminal databases, public records tests are dependent on the subject providing accurate information.

HHS’s own Inspector General has warned the lower grade tests would not be as effective at sussing out past sexual or criminal offenses.

“That’s placing the children under care of HHS in the path, potentially, of a sex offender,” Laura Nodolf, the district attorney for Midland, Texas told the Associated Press. “They are putting these children in a position of becoming potential victims.”

Midland is home to an HHS migrant facility which opened just this month. Nodolf warned that without FBI checks “we truly do not know who the individual is who is providing direct care.”

There are currently 18,000 children and teenage illegal migrants currently in custody in the United States — a figure which is growing by the day.

The migrant surge at the border represents the first major crisis of the new Biden administration. The president has tapped Vice President Harris with “stemming the migration” from the southern border. In that capacity she is expected to work closely with Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, where gang violence and economic deprivation continue to spur waves of emigres.

Domestically the border imbroglio presents fresh challenge with Biden’s Senate Republicans rivals, who are digging in on the issue and warning that any immigration deal is off the table until the border surge is halted.

“How can you pass an immigration bill when you have an open border?” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said at a press conference from the Texas border. “If they want to accomplish anything on immigration and I want to help them, it would be securing the border.”

“You’ve got to stop the bleeding before you can take care of the problem,” he added.

HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.