This week, the Trump administration informed shelter providers across the United States that federal law enforcement agents are set to commence in-person interviews with unaccompanied migrant children housed in shelters. This internal notification, which CNN has exclusively obtained, represents a significant escalation in the administration’s scrutiny of the migrant children who have crossed the southern border without adult accompaniment. The move has raised alarms among immigrant advocates and child protection advocates who worry about the implications for the welfare of these vulnerable children.
The policy shift comes amidst a broader trend observed in recent months where the Trump administration has taken steps to limit the legal rights of migrant children in custody. These actions include making it increasingly difficult for parents and guardians to reclaim their children from government facilities, as well as directing federal agents to query immigrant teens about their willingness to voluntarily leave the country. The administration asserts that these interviews are part of an ongoing initiative aimed at detecting and eliminating potential criminal activities associated with unaccompanied minors. However, advocates argue that they jeopardize the safety and well-being of these children, who are already in precarious situations.
The notification refers to guidance released in July concerning a collaborative federal team that includes officials from the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Health and Human Services (HHS). This team has been organized specifically to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal activities related to these unaccompanied minors. However, the announcement lacks crucial details, such as the number of children that will be targeted in the interviews or if they will be afforded the opportunity to have legal representation during questioning. Such omissions have prompted concern among advocates and experts who are scrambling for further clarification ahead of the implementation of this policy.
Jennifer Podkul, Chief of Global Advocacy for Kids in Need of Defense, a prominent group that assists unaccompanied minors, expressed concerns stating that the blanket approach to conducting interviews might lead to more harm than good. Podkul mentioned that her organization, along with other advocacy groups, already flags particular cases to federal law enforcement when there are red flags regarding trafficking or other suspected criminal activities. The apprehension surrounding the lack of understanding from the children being interviewed is substantial, especially in cases where these children might have recently entered government custody following the detainment of a parent or guardian due to enforcement actions.
Moreover, President Donald Trump has openly criticized the handling of migrant children by the Biden administration, often citing unfounded claims that many of these children are in peril. This critique has been a driving force behind the administration’s aggressive push to investigate and unveil any potential wrongdoing. Trump officials allege that numerous children became untraceable after being released into the U.S. during the previous administration, casting doubt on the efficacy of the existing federal programs aimed at the care of these minors until they find suitable sponsors, typically family members residing in the U.S.
In response, former Biden officials have denied the claims that a significant number of children are unaccounted for. When unaccompanied minors arrive in the U.S., they are placed in the care of a federal agency within HHS named the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which manages shelters nationwide until children can be placed with family members or guardians. Advocates continue to emphasize that the safety of these children should be paramount, particularly amidst this aggressive immigration enforcement atmosphere.
Federal processes are designed to evaluate whether a child in government custody is at risk. If warranted, cases may be referred to law enforcement, which could involve child interviews conducted off-site. Currently, approximately 2,000 children remain under the ORR’s custody according to federal numbers. Earlier in the year, the Trump administration initiated a “war room” at HHS headquarters in Washington, D.C. This facility focuses on reviewing sensitive data to find migrant children and involve federal authorities when necessary.
In a statement released by HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon, he affirmed the commitment of his department to collaborate closely with partners to identify any criminal activities that could endanger unaccompanied children, aiming to root out issues of both trafficking and fraud. The Department of Homeland Security also indicated that HHS has investigated thousands of reports of unaccompanied minors that were previously overlooked, generating over 4,000 leads for criminal activity including fraud and human trafficking.
However, advocates counter that interviews with federal law enforcement without adequate protections might pose significant risks to children. The climate created by such actions could deter undocumented immigrant families from seeking necessary help, raising concerns of further alienating these communities. As a result, moving forward, it is crucial for the administration to ensure that the interviews conducted are done with the children’s safety, comprehension, and legal representation at the forefront of this process.
