Door knocks, DNA tests: How Feds to keep tabs on 450,000 migrant kids…

A nationwide, multi-agency review is being conducted by the Trump administration, focusing on 450,000 migrant children who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone during President Biden’s term. The goal is to locate these children and ensure their safety, as many were placed in homes with adult sponsors. However, migrant advocates are skeptical of the tactics being used, which involve Homeland Security and FBI agents visiting the children. There are concerns that the review may lead to deportations of sponsors or children living in the country illegally.

The Trump administration cites cases of sponsors not being properly vetted, potentially exposing children to exploitation. They plan to conduct house checks and interviews to investigate complaints filed since 2023, with about 450 cases referred to law enforcement this year. The administration aims to protect children, as emphasized by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a Cabinet meeting with Trump.

For years, adults have been allowed to sponsor unaccompanied migrant children, but challenges arose during the Biden administration, including inadequate background checks and false identification by sponsors. While efforts were made to address these issues, some legitimate families fear being affected by the current review and possible deportations. About 100 children have already been removed from sponsors and placed in federal custody.

The new rules implemented by the Trump administration have made it more difficult for sponsors, requiring fingerprinting, DNA testing, and income verification. These changes have raised concerns, especially for those without income or undocumented status. The policies have been criticized for hindering the release of children from federal custody.