Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative Moves Forward with ICE Field Guidance
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued comprehensive guidance on the field implementation of its “Unaccompanied Alien Children Joint Initiative,” signaling a significant, multi-phased effort to address the status of minors who have entered the country without a legal guardian. This new directive details a collaborative effort between various Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components. These include ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The primary objective of this initiative is to locate unaccompanied children who have had no contact with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This is since their release from federal custody.
Phase One focuses on identifying and prioritizing cases of children for whom there is no record of post-release contact. It involves data analysis and coordination between federal agencies to build a comprehensive list of individuals to be located. This includes attempting to make contact with the children or their sponsors through various means. For example, phone calls, home visits, and cooperation with local law enforcement and community organizations are used. Immigration and Customs Enforcement guidance emphasizes that the purpose of these interactions is not punitive. Rather, it is to assess the well-being of the children, ensure they are not victims of trafficking or exploitation, and connect them with available social services and legal resources.
The ultimate goal is for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to bridge the communication gap that has existed. This aims to provide a more holistic oversight of these vulnerable individuals after they leave federal custody. This initiative represents a new, more integrated approach to a complex humanitarian issue. It seeks to balance enforcement with the welfare of minors.
