ICE struggles to track unaccompanied minors in the U.S

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General issued a management alert highlighting ICE's inability to monitor unaccompanied minors (UACs) released into the U.S. This issue has become urgent, as ICE lacks the capability to track the location and status of these children, raising concerns about their safety from trafficking and exploitation. Between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, over 448,000 UACs were transferred to the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, with a significant majority arriving under the Biden-Harris administration. The report revealed that ICE failed to issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) for immigration court hearings to more than 291,000 UACs who should have been placed in removal proceedings. This oversight has left many UACs unaccounted for, with at least 32,000 missing after failing to appear in court. The lack of communication and coordination between ICE and other agencies, such as HHS and DOJ, has exacerbated the problem, making it difficult to locate these vulnerable children. Senator Chuck Grassley expressed concern over the lax vetting processes that have endangered the lives of migrant children, emphasizing the need for better oversight. The report also noted that ICE has not developed formal policies to locate UACs who miss court dates, contributing to the growing number of missing children. The situation is further complicated by resource limitations within ICE. In light of these findings, the Inspector General has urged ICE to take immediate action to ensure the safety of UACs. The ongoing challenges in monitoring these children highlight the urgent need for reform in the oversight of unaccompanied minors in the U.S. immigration system.