Unaccompanied children arrive at the United States border without their parents or legal guardians—often fleeing unsafe situations, including abuse, trafficking, and violence—to reunite with family and find safety. Over two decades ago, Congress tasked the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to care for unaccompanied children until they can safely reunify with their family. Unlike immigration enforcement agencies, ORR has a child welfare mandate to place kids in “the least restrictive setting in their best interest.” In other words, ORR’s responsibility is to care for children and support their reunification with family.

Today, the Trump administration is undermining ORR’s child welfare mandate. Project 2025 openly called for ORR to merge with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), essentially converting the agency into another enforcement arm for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Former ICE employees now hold leadership roles in ORR and new policies center enforcement goals rather than children’s well-being. The Trump administration is undercutting Congress’ clear mandate to separate the care and custody of children from DHS’ prosecution and enforcement goals.