The Trump administration has taken around 500 migrant children already residing in the US into government custody, often separating them from their families. This move is part of a broader effort to address concerns about the safety and well-being of these children, who arrived at the US southern border without a parent or guardian during the Biden administration.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted welfare checks on these children, sometimes resulting in their removal from homes deemed unsafe or due to immigration enforcement actions against their sponsors. Most of these sponsors are the children’s parents or other family members.
Concerns about the Approach
Advocates, experts, and former Health and Human Services (HHS) officials have expressed concerns about the administration’s approach. They argue that the actions may hurt, rather than help, the children. “They’re trying to suffocate the program, which only hurts the children we’re statutorily and legally mandated to serve,” said a source familiar with the discussions.
Laura Nally, program director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights Children’s Program, expressed similar concerns, stating, “It’s scaring people, and it’s unnecessary.” Mark Greenberg, a former senior HHS official, noted that the post-release services already in place provide help with school enrollment, health needs, and links to other community services.
The ‘War Room’ and Data Sharing
The Trump administration has set up a “war room” within HHS to track down migrant children. This centralized location allows multiple federal agencies to share sensitive data about these children. ICE now has access to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) portal, which contains confidential information about the children.
New Guidelines and Consequences
The administration has implemented additional vetting procedures, making it more difficult for parents and guardians to retrieve children in government custody. These new guidelines have resulted in longer stays for children in custody, with the average length of care increasing from 67 days to 170 days. Some children have reported feeling depressed while in custody.
Experts warn that these actions may lead to the mass detention of sponsors and the return of children to ORR custody. “We’re seeing the warning signs right now,” Nally said. The guidelines have already halted reunifications that were set to take place, with some children remaining in custody due to their sponsors’ inability to provide required documents.
Administration’s Response
Trump officials argue that their actions are necessary to ensure the safety of the children. “DHS is leading efforts to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure they are safe and not being exploited,” said Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated that ORR is “restoring” its mission, which was “abandoned” under the previous administration.
However, critics argue that the administration’s approach is not about child safety but rather about making it more difficult for undocumented parents and relatives to be united with their children. As the situation continues to unfold, concerns about the well-being and rights of these migrant children remain.