Overview
- The administration has identified more than 600—nearly 700 per a Senate letter—Guatemalan unaccompanied children in HHS care for a pilot return effort coordinated with Guatemala, CNN and the AP reported.
- Internal guidance reviewed by CNN directed federal field specialists to stop certain releases and to halt sponsor approvals for Guatemalan children who do not have a parent in the United States.
- Officials have described the planned removals as repatriations, with voluntary departure under discussion, though the specific immigration pathway has not been publicly detailed.
- Sen. Ron Wyden cited whistleblowers alleging children without a parent sponsor or a pending asylum case “will be forcibly removed,” and he urged ORR to terminate the plan.
- Child‑welfare advocates say the effort conflicts with ORR’s mandate as average custody stays have risen to 187 days, and note Guatemala previously pursued the return of 341 minors.