CA gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton accuses Xavier Becerra of putting migrant children at risk

FRESNO, Calif. -- California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton continued his criticism of opponent Xavier Becerra during a campaign stop in Fresno on Tuesday, accusing the former U.S. health secretary of mishandling the treatment of unaccompanied migrant children.

Standing beside a large wanted poster displaying Becerra's face, Hilton alleged that migrant children were abused under policies implemented during Becerra's tenure as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden.

Hilton criticized Becerra's handling of a surge of unaccompanied migrant children, claiming Becerra pressured his agency to move children out of crowded shelters and expedite their placement with adult sponsors. Hilton alleged that the accelerated process removed important vetting procedures for adults who took custody of the children.

Hilton also introduced another child who alleges he was threatened with deportation and that retaliation was threatened against his family after he was released to sponsors through the federal system.

"Becerra not only failed to protect children in his care, he actively put them at risk. At risk of child sex trafficking, at risk of child labor exploitation, at risk of simply disappearing," Hilton said.

Becerra has denied the allegations.

In a statement, Becerra's campaign responded to Hilton's comments, saying the Republican candidate has aligned himself with a president whose separation policies "continue to take children away from their parents, and whose ICE agents shot two fathers dead."

The statement referenced ICE-related incidents that occurred last month in Texas and Maine.