The Biden Administration is ending a 2018 policy which let DHS deport caregivers for migrant children. This policy, in practice, discouraged caregivers from picking up migrant children in custody at the border or HHS facilities. Under this policy, the Department of Homeland Security collected information about the immigration status of caregivers who came forward to care for unaccompanied migrant children.
Rescinding this policy may alleviate overcrowding at Health and Human Services Department (HHS) facilities. This also means that HHS will no longer check the immigration status of parents or sponsors. Despite this policy change by the Biden administration, many facilities remain overcrowded. This is a result of a recent surge in unaccompanied migrant children coming to the United States.
As of Friday, March 12, 2021, parents and caregivers can now come forward to care for migrant children without fear of immigration consequences. The change in policy hopes to promote the safe and timely transfer of migrant children from detention facilities to sponsors and parents. This is a welcome change from the previously disorganized process, which put many families under emotional duress.
Officials stated that the new agreement would not change safeguards. These safeguards are designed to ensure that migrant children are unified with properly vetted sponsors. These sponsors must be able to safely care for the children while they await the resolution of their immigration proceedings. The hope is that this policy change can encourage family members and sponsors to come forward. Now that there is no negative immigration consequence for doing so, an uptick in claiming migrant children is expected.
