Skip to main content

DOD prepares to house 20,000 unaccompanied minors at military bases

  1. Original Date Announced

    June 21, 2018

    Press reports that DOD, following a request from HHS, will prepare to temporarily house up to 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children from July 2018 through end of year. In a letter to Congress, DOD confirms the plans. DOD will only be responsible for housing while HHS or contractors will be responsible for everything else (e.g. meals, supervision). [ID #334]

    Washington Post: DOD to house 20000 unaccompanied immigrant children
  2. Effective Date

    June 21, 2018
  3.  
  4. Biden Administration Action: Modified

    April 30, 2021

    2021.04.30 ORR Field Guidance #13, Emergency Intake Sites (EIS) Instructions and Standards

    This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On April 30, 2021, ORR issued field guidance delineating the standards for Emergency Intake Sites used to house unaccompanied minors.

    View Document
  5. Biden Administration Action: Modified

    April 30, 2024

    2024.04.30 Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule (45 C.F.R. Part 410)

    This Biden administration policy modifies the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On April 30, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, enacts a final rule regulating key aspects of the placement, care, and services provided to unaccompanied children in custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The final rule implements the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement.

    Subpart I of the final rule addresses Emergency and Influx Operations. The rule codifies standards for Emergency or Influx Facilities (EIFs), including the possibility of using U.S. Department of Defense sites for EIFs.

    View Document

Current Status

Partially in effect

Most Recent Action

April 30, 2024 Action: Modified 2024.04.30 Unaccompanied Children Program Foundational Rule (45 C.F.R. Part 410)
April 30, 2021
Acted on by Biden Administration
April 30, 2024
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Reported
Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice
Subject Matter: Detention Minors
Agencies Affected: ORR DOD

Pre Trump-Era Policies

  • August 5, 2014

    The Obama administration also used shelters on military bases to house unaccompanied minors following the 2014 surge in migrants from Central America, but not at such a scale.

    Go to article on reuters.com

We require registration to leave feedback. You may either:

  • Sign in with your current user name and password.

  • Register if you don't have a user name and password.