Xavier Becerra Accused by Steve Hilton of 319,000 Missing Migrant Children in California Race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has centered his campaign attacks on Democrat Xavier Becerra, alleging that more than 319,000 unaccompanied migrant children went missing after leaving federal custody while Becerra led the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Hilton cites a Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General audit that found Immigration and Customs Enforcement was unable to effectively monitor many children after they were released to sponsors, resulting in the large number of unaccounted‑for youths.

Becerra’s campaign rejects the claim, saying he rebuilt child‑protection systems and that the accusations misrepresent his record. The dispute has intensified as California’s gubernatorial election approaches, making immigration and child‑welfare issues a focal point of the statewide contest.