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ORR proposes changes to application and agreement for sponsors of unaccompanied minors

  1. Original Date Announced

    January 5, 2021

    ORR has proposed revisions to an information collection to allow the Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) Program to evaluate the ability of potential sponsors to provide for the physical and mental well-being of the UAC and whether the UAC will be safe in the custody of the potential sponsor. The revisions affect the Sponsor Verification Application (Form SVP–3/3s) (formerly the Family Reunification Application) and the Sponsor Care Agreement (Form SVP–4/4s).

    Revisions to the Sponsor Verification Application require more detailed information and allow caseworkers to impose a deadline of 45 days for a potential sponsor to submit their forms and supporting documents. There will now also be an option for potential sponsors to submit to a DNA test to prove their biological relationship to the minor in lieu of submitting supporting documents. In some cases, ORR may require a DNA test.

    Revisions to the Sponsor Care Agreement require sponsors to enroll in post-release services (PRS) as a condition of release. The PRS program involves periodic phone check-ins and in-home visits.

    Comments on these information collections are due within 60 days.

    [ID #1272]

    Sponsor Review Procedures for Unaccompanied Alien Children SVP-3 Sponsor Verification Application SVP-4 Sponsor Care Agreement
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  3. Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

    February 25, 2021

    Withdrawal of Request for Comment on Changes to Forms for Family Reunification Application (Sponsor Verification Application)

    This Biden administration policy revokes in its entirety the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On February 25, 2021, ORR announced that it is no longer pursuing the Trump administration's proposed changes to Family Reunification Application forms (also referred to as Sponsor Verification Application) and Sponsor Care Agreement and therefore withdraws its request for public comment on such changes.

    View Document
  4. Biden Administration Action: Revoked/Replaced

    June 27, 2022

    2022.06.27 Family Reunification Packet for Sponsors of Unaccompanied Children

    This Biden administration policy made additional modifications to its revocation of the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.

    On June 27, 2022, ORR, ACF and HHS issued a request for public comment on proposed changes to "several forms that allow the Unaccompanied Children (UC) Program to assess the suitability of potential sponsors for UC." These modifications removed several questioned deemed unnecessary for screening, as well as repeatedly replacing the term “minor” with “child.” Comments are requested from the public within 30 days of publication.

    View Document

Current Status

Not in effect

Most Recent Action

June 27, 2022 Action: Revoked/Replaced 2022.06.27 Family Reunification Packet for Sponsors of Unaccompanied Children
February 25, 2021
Acted on by Biden Administration
June 27, 2022
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Proposed
Trump Administration Action: Forms and Information Collection
Subject Matter: Minors
Agencies Affected: ORR

Pre Trump-Era Policies

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