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Original Date Announced
January 1, 2026High Plains Public Radio reports that ORR largely stopped releasing children in its custody in early November, even when sponsors have been fully vetted. Immigration attorneys have confirmed that they have been unable to get children with cleared sponsors out of ORR custody in most cases. ORR used to release about 4 children per day to sponsors, but has only released 4 children total in the past month and a half. Earlier in 2025, the Administration for Children and Families said that it put "enhanced vetting policies" in place for the adults who would receive children released from ORR custody.
Trump 2.0 [ID #2176]
2026.01.01 High Plains Public Radio - The Trump administration has all but stopped reuniting detained migrant children with familiesSubsequent Trump and Court Action
February 23, 20262026.02.23 Complaint - N. v. Department of Health and Human Services
A group of detained children and their representatives filed a class action suit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) challenging the “blanket policy” of requiring all previously approved sponsors to reapply for sponsorship. The plaintiffs are minors who were previously in ORR custody, released to ORR-approved sponsors, and later detained by DHS as part of its immigration enforcement efforts and re-referred to ORR. The complaint alleges that ORR has kept the children detained and separated from their families while it requires the children and their sponsors to reapply with no way to challenge the reapplication policy, in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The plaintiffs ask the court to certify a class; declare the blanket reapplication policy unlawful; and order injunctive relief requiring the government to halt the policy and provide the plaintiffs with due process. N. v. Department of Health and Human Services, No. 1:26-cv-00577 (D.D.C.).
**Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: ReportedTrump Administration Action: Change in PracticeSubject Matter: MinorsAgencies Affected: ORR
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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