The Trump administration has issued new directives to intensify deportation efforts against unaccompanied migrant children.
News Nation Now reported that an internal memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outlines a phased plan for tracking and possibly deporting hundreds of thousands of children who crossed into the United States without parents since 2019.
The newly revealed ICE memo instructs agents to locate migrant children who entered the United States alone through the U.S.-Mexico border.
This detailed plan comprises four phases, starting with a strategic setup initiated on January 27. However, the memo does not specify when the active enforcement phase will begin.
Government records show that since 2019, more than 600,000 migrant children have entered the U.S. without their parents or legal guardians. A large number of these children have been issued deportation orders, largely due to absences from court hearings, with over 31,000 cases noted.
Former President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy during his first term led to the separation of many children from their parents at the border.
Though the policy ceased in 2018, around 1,000 children might still remain separated from their families, according to Lee Gelernt, the lead ACLU attorney.
Data gathering efforts under the Trump administration have aided in tightening processes for sponsor vetting. Since returning to office on January 20, Trump has strengthened the requirements for sponsor vetting, making fingerprinting mandatory for both sponsors and their household members.
The ICE memo also highlights a desire to better safeguard these children from potential human trafficking or exploitation. By this initiative, numerous children with pending deportation orders will soon be served, while others will be issued notices to appear in immigration court.
Children targeted for enforcement have been divided into categories such as "flight risk," "public safety," and "border security." By allocating these classifications, ICE aims to prioritize its enforcement strategies effectively.
The administration has also enhanced its access to databases containing detailed information about the unaccompanied minors and their sponsors. This greater access assists in tracking and managing the immigration status of these children more comprehensively.
Mellissa Harper, currently heading the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and a former ICE official, revealed in a staff meeting that ICE had received approximately 247,000 tips concerning fraud, trafficking, and smuggling related to unaccompanied minors. These cases are being referred to the FBI for further investigation, as stated by Harper during the meeting.
Plans to use DNA testing to confirm familial relationships between children and their sponsors have been disclosed by Mellissa Harper.
This method intends to ensure the authenticity of the claimed family ties, thereby protecting children from being exploited by fraudulent sponsors.
The ongoing investigations and enforcement measures signify a significant stride in the administration's broader immigration policy goals.
By focusing on these vulnerable groups, the administration claims to enhance the protection of migrant children against exploitation while ensuring lawful adherence to immigration laws.
These developments reflect a continuation of Trump's robust approach to immigration, emphasizing strict compliance and rigorous enforcement as primary strategies. The unfolding actions against unaccompanied migrant children underscore the administration's commitment to these principles.
As ICE moves forward with its phased plan, questions about the ethical implications of deporting unaccompanied minors who have already faced numerous challenges arise. The complexity of the immigration system, combined with the vulnerable status of these minors, poses unique challenges to policymakers and enforcers alike.