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Title Full
ICE Cannot Effectively Monitor the Location and Status of All Unaccompanied Alien Children After Federal Custody
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Homeland Security OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Homeland Security
Components
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
Report Number
OIG-25-21
Report Description

After meeting with more than 140 individuals from DHS and other Federal agencies, we determined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot effectively monitor the location and status of all unaccompanied alien children (UACs) once released or transferred from Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) custody. From fiscal years 2019 to 2023, ICE transferred more than 448,000 UACs to HHS; most were released to sponsors. However, more than 31,000 of the 448,000 children’s release addresses were blank, undeliverable, or missing apartment numbers. ICE also was not always aware of the location for UACs who fled HHS’ custody.

Report Type
Audit
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
4
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
Report updated under NDAA 5274
No
External Entity
https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2025-03/OIG-25-21-Mar25.pdf
External Link
https://www.oig.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/assets/2025-03/OIG-25-21-Mar25.pdf

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.
Recommendation Number Significant Recommendation Recommended Questioned Costs Recommended Funds for Better Use Additional Details
1 No $0 $0

We recommend the Acting Director for ICE review and revise as needed Memoranda of Agreement and the Joint Concept of Operations between ICE and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and continue to work on information-sharing agreements related to unaccompanied alien children.

2 No $0 $0

We recommend the Acting Director for ICE develop and implement a formal process to review ICE system data and identify inaccurate and incomplete addresses for unaccompanied alien children and share this information externally with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

3 No $0 $0

We recommend the Acting Director for ICE develop and implement a plan to address the backlog of unserved Notices to Appear for unaccompanied alien children, including a timeframe for reducing the backlog.

4 No $0 $0

We recommend the Acting Director for ICE update existing guidance, such as the Field Office Juvenile Coordinator Handbook, to clarify how ICE ERO officers should elevate concerns regarding the safety or circumstances of unaccompanied alien children and ensure wide dissemination of all updated guidance.

Department of Homeland Security OIG

United States