The Trump administration has virtually stopped releasing undocumented children in federal custody to their parents and other relatives. That’s according to data obtained by the California Newsroom, immigration attorneys around the country and officials inside the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the agency tasked with caring for those children.
The Administration for Children and Families, which oversees ORR, said via email that earlier this year, it put in place “enhanced vetting policies” for adults who will care for the children after their release. The goal, it said, was to better protect children from harm. But it said the office “has not issued a moratorium” on releases to those adults.
However, sources with knowledge of the office’s directives contradict that claim, saying ORR leadership began issuing verbal orders to staff in early November to stop releasing kids to their relatives until further notice...