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Original Date Announced
January 27, 2025ICE issues a new memo titled "Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative Field Implementation." The memo directs DHS, ICE, HSI, and ERO to "commence an operational initiative to locate unaccompanied alien children (UAC) who were encountered by DHS and released from the care and custody" of ORR. As part of the initiative, immigration agents are instructed to track down released UACs, ensure "UAC’s immigration obligations are met," and conduct "investigative activities to ensure UAC are not subjected to crimes of human trafficking or other exploitation."
"Phase One" of the initiative sorted minors into three priority groups: "flight risk," "public safety," and "border security." The memo then lays out three more phases of implementation of the initiative, culminating in immigration enforcement, possible criminal enforcement (including against sponsors), and reporting requirements.
A copy of the original memo was obtained by FOIA by the End SIJS Backlog Coalition, a project of the National Immigration Project.
Trump 2.0 [ID #1559]
2025.01.27 ICE: Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative Field ImplementationEffective Date
January 27, 2025Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)
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February 10, 2025
2025.02.10 ICE: UAC Increased Coordination Email to ICE Field Offices
ICE ERO leadership distribute the memo described in this entry to ICE Field Office Directors and Deputy Field Office Directors by email, requiring each ICE Field Office to provide 1-2 officers to “participate and contribute to the effort.”
A copy of this email was obtained by FOIA by the End SIJS Backlog Coalition, a project of the National Immigration Project.
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February 21, 2025
2025.02.21 Reported: HHS investigating vetting policies for individuals wishing to sponsor unaccompanied children - New York Post
The New York Post reports that HHS is investigating ORR's previous vetting policies for individuals wishing to sponsor unaccompanied children. It will suggest and implement reforms.
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February 25, 2025
2025.02.25 Reported: Trump admin planning operation to find and possibly deport unaccompanied migrant children - NBC
NBC News reported that "sources familiar with the planning" of the Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative said that ICE will "focus on children whose sponsors did not answer the phone on the 30-day check-in" and on children who do not have court dates. The article reports that from fiscal year 2019 to August 2024, more than 291,000 children were not given notices to appear in court.
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March 25, 2025
2025.03.25 DHS OIG - ICE Cannot Effectively Monitor Location and Status of Unaccompanied Children
DHS' Office of Inspector General published a report finding that ICE cannot effectively monitor the location and status of all unaccompanied children once released or transferred from DHS and HHS custody. The report states that 31,000 children released from HHS custody between 2019 and 2023 had missing or incomplete release addresses in their records; as of January 2025, 233,000 children had not been served with NTAs; and as of October 2024, 43,000 children who had been served NTAs failed to appear at their immigration court hearings. Additionally, the report states ICE received insufficient information about children's "status and safety."
The report contains four recommendations aimed at improving ICE’s ability to monitor unaccompanied children: (1) review and revise information-sharing agreements between ICE and HHS; (2) develop and implement a process to review ICE system data and identify inaccurate or incomplete data; (3) develop and implement a plan to address the backlog of unserved Notices to Appear for unaccompanied children; and (4) update existing guidance to clarify how ICE ERO officers should elevate concerns regarding the safety or circumstances of unaccompanied children.
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April 12, 2025
2025.04.12 Reported: Immigration agents turned away after trying to enter LA elementary schools - Independent
The Independent reports that DHS officers attempted welfare checks on five immigrant children at two elementary schools in Los Angeles, California. DHS stated that agents “were at these schools conducting wellness checks on children who arrived unaccompanied at the border. This had nothing to do with immigration enforcement.” Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said the officers falsely claimed they had parental authorization to contact the children; school officials at the schools told ICE they would need a court order or a warrant.
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May 5, 2025
2025.05.05 Reported: Door knocks and DNA tests: How the Trump administration plans to keep tabs on 450,000 migrant kids - AP News
AP News reports that the Trump Administration is conducting a nationwide review of 450,000 unaccompanied migrant children who entered the US during Biden's presidency. Many of these children were placed with parents, relatives, or family members. Administration officials say the review is intended to ensure the children's safety, but advocates are concerned that it is an effort to target undocumented sponsors and force children back into federal custody. In just the last two months, about 100 children have been removed from their sponsors and returned to federal custody after armed federal agents showed up to conduct welfare checks. The administration has also instituted strict new requirements, like fingerprinting, DNA testing, and income verification, that could make it nearly impossible for undocumented or low-income individuals to qualify as sponsors.
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Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: ReportedTrump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Minors EnforcementAssociated or Derivative Policies
- May 8, 2018 DHS gives notice of modifying the Alien Criminal Response Information Management System of Records to add UAC sponsors/household members
- February 5, 2020 Reported: ICE begins fingerprinting unaccompanied children age 14 and over in ORR facilities
- January 31, 2025 EOIR Acting Director Reinstates Trump Memo on Child Advocates
- March 14, 2025 ORR issues field guidance on DNA testing for proof of biological relationship
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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Commentary
2025.05.14 The Texas Tribune - An agency tasked with protecting immigrant children is becoming an enforcement arm, current and former staffers say
A dozen current and former government official told reporters that ORR's welfare mission appears to be shifting from "protecting children to becoming an enforcement arm," citing the use of the resettlement agency's information "to target both sponsors and unaccompanied children for deportation." The officials argue that the ORR is "drifting from its humanitarian mandate," but Trump officials maintain that the administration is ensuring children are not abused or trafficked.
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