The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), a U.S. agency responsible for housing unaccompanied migrant children, has provided Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with over 460,000 leads since January 2025. These tips have resulted in more than 12,000 arrests, according to internal government data reviewed by Reuters.
ORR, established in 1980, traditionally focused on resettling refugees and caring for unaccompanied minors arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. Historically, the agency maintained a separation from immigration enforcement to ensure that migrant families could reunite without fear of deportation. However, under the Trump administration, this approach has shifted. Since January 2025, ORR has been sharing information about unaccompanied children, their sponsors, and household members with ICE, making them vulnerable to detention and deportation.
This policy change has led to the arrest of thousands of children, their sponsors, and other household members. For instance, Aurora and her six-year-old daughter were detained by ICE and sent to a family detention center in Texas. They were among those arrested following tips from ORR.
The integration of ORR data with ICE operations has intensified debates over the treatment of migrant families and the balance between immigration enforcement and family reunification. Critics argue that this approach undermines the safety and well-being of children and their families. Supporters contend that it is essential for enforcing immigration laws and ensuring national security.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how this policy will impact future immigration enforcement strategies and the experiences of migrant families seeking reunification.