Chicago – July 28, 2026
U.S. immigration authorities have arrested thousands of children’s sponsors and relatives after receiving information from the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the federal agency that oversees unaccompanied migrant children in shelters.
More than 12,000 people have been arrested after ORR tips during the Trump administration, with advocates saying the practice is deterring relatives from coming forward to care for children.
The Texas Tribune reported that ICE has arrested undocumented relatives who attempted to take custody of children in federal shelters, sometimes after DNA tests, background checks and other vetting steps were already underway.
Attorneys and child advocates argue the policy is prolonging children’s stays in shelters for months and using family reunification efforts as a way to identify and detain potential sponsors.
The Department of Homeland Security says the arrests target sponsors with criminal histories and are meant to protect children from abuse and exploitation. Critics counter that the policy is creating fear among families and making it harder for children to leave federal custody.
