HHS proposes expanded background checks and information sharing for sponsors of unaccompanied children

Original Date Announced
May 15, 2018
The Administration for Children & Families requests approval and public comment on proposed increased vetting of sponsors of unaccompanied minors. Specifically, the information collection would allow the Office of Refugee Resettlement to obtain biometric and biographical information from sponsors, adult members of their household, and adult care givers. ORR in turn would share the information collected with other federal departments to conduct background checks. Information shared with DOJ or DHS could be used against the sponsors in criminal or immigration proceedings. [ID #35]
Notice and Comment: Agency Recordkeeping/Reporting Requirements Under Emergency Review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Effective Date
May 15, 2018
Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
- December 19, 2018
  Press Release: Rep. DeLauro Statement on HHS Fingerprinting Policy Change
  HHS will no longer require that all adults living in the same household as migrant children be fingerprinted before releasing the minor to the sponsor. Only the sponsors themselves will have to undergo fingerprinting. View Document

Fully in Effect

Status: Final/Actual

Trump Administration Action: Change in Practice

Subject Matter: Minors Interior

Agencies Affected: ORR ICE CBP DOJ

Pre Trump-Era Policies

May 15, 2018 Previously, the primary sponsor was vetted, but not necessarily the other members of their household. ORR Reunification Procedures for Unaccompanied Alien Children

Children as Bait: Impacts of the ORR-DHS Information-Sharing Agreement
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