An IMGW News Report
The Trump administration has reinstated a policy allowing immigration authorities to access information on sponsors of unaccompanied child migrants, a move likely to prolong children’s stay in government custody. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), tasked with their care, is once again sharing sponsor details—including names, addresses, and immigration status—with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
For years, ORR shielded such data to encourage sponsors, often relatives, to step forward without fear of deportation. Officials argue that the resumption of data-sharing will curb fraud and human trafficking. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, claims it will help locate 300,000 unaccompanied minors allegedly unaccounted for.
Critics warn that the move mirrors policies introduced during Donald Trump’s first term, which saw the average length of stay in government shelters rise to 89 days in 2019. A previous iteration of the policy led to the arrest of more than 170 prospective sponsors—many without criminal records—before it was abandoned under Joe Biden. Legal experts suggest the renewed approach may breach federal privacy laws and could face litigation.
Under new leadership, ORR is also tightening fingerprinting requirements. Previously, only parents, grandparents, and close relatives faced such scrutiny; now, all household members, including unrelated individuals, will be subject to background checks.
Advocates fear the policy will deter potential sponsors, forcing more children to remain in institutional care. “This creates enormous fear,” says Mark Greenberg, a former senior official at the Department of Health and Human Services. “ORR’s role is child welfare, not immigration enforcement.”
With legal challenges likely, the administration’s approach highlights a growing tension between border enforcement and child protection, raising concerns about its long-term humanitarian impact.
