AUSTIN, Texas — Sources tell ABC News the Trump administration is telling immigration agents to track down unaccompanied migrant children in the U.S.
An internal document from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says the initiative claims it will stop the children from being human trafficked or experiencing other types of exploitation.
The plan reportedly sorts unaccompanied minors into three groups – “flight risk,” “public safety” and “border security.” The source told ABC News that “flight risk” minors are to be prioritized for court hearings or deportation.
According to government data, more than 600,000 children have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without a legal guardian or parent accompanying them since 2019. It comes after Republicans claimed the Biden administration “lost” 300,000 migrant children last year.
The claim comes from an internal Department of Homeland Security watchdog report that found ICE had not served notices to appear to more than 291,000 unaccompanied migrant children. It also said in the past five years, more than 32,000 unaccompanied migrant children had not shown up for their court hearings, and ICE could not account for their whereabouts.
“The unique needs of children require the administration to ensure a level of care that takes into account their vulnerability while it determines whether they need long-term protection in the United States,” Wendy Young, the president of Kids in Need of Defense, said in a statement to ABC News.
“To be successful in its goals, the government must partner with legal service providers and the vast network of private sector pro bono partners who provide millions of dollars in free legal services to ensure children understand the process and can share their reasons for seeking safety in the United States. Then the government can decide with confidence who needs protection and who can safely return to their country of origin,” Young added.