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2.0

ICE issues "Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative Field Implementation" memo

  1. Original Date Announced

    January 27, 2025

    ICE 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 Implementation
  2. Effective Date

    January 27, 2025
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • 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

None

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Reported
Trump Administration Action: Agency Directive
Subject Matter: Minors Enforcement
Agencies Affected: ORR ICE HHS

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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