ICE has blank or bad addresses for tens of thousands of migrant children released from custody and can't vouch that they're safe from traffickers, its watchdog found.
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What happened
A March 25, 2025 DHS Office of Inspector General audit (OIG-25-21) found ICE cannot effectively monitor the location and status of unaccompanied children after they leave federal custody. Of more than 448,000 children ICE transferred to HHS from fiscal 2019 to 2023, more than 31,000 had release addresses that were blank, undeliverable or missing apartment numbers; as of January 2025 ICE had not served Notices to Appear on more than 233,000 children, and more than 43,000 who were served had missed court dates as of October 2024. The OIG said ICE was not always told of a child's safety unless a tip came in, so it 'has no assurance' the children are safe from trafficking, exploitation or forced labor. ICE concurred with all four recommendations.
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Response
Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.