Key Takeaways
• ICE shelters have held 600 immigrant kids so far this year, a record high.
• Many children end up in shelters after routine events like traffic stops or court visits.
• New rules make it harder and longer for families to get kids out of ICE shelters.
• States like Florida now work closely with ICE to enforce immigration laws.
• Advocates warn these tactics may scare immigrant families into leaving.
This year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement sent 600 immigrant kids to ICE shelters. That number is higher than the past four years combined. Many parents and teens had moved to the U.S. years ago. Yet they still landed in federal custody.
How routine stops led to separation
Often, family separations began at simple events. A cracked windshield, a fingerprint appointment, even a wrong turn onto military land triggered an immigration check. As a result, teens got handcuffed. Then agents drove them to ICE shelters. For example, 15-year-old Carlos rode in a trailer with his uncle. A Florida Highway Patrol officer stopped them for a cracked windshield. Soon, ICE agents detained both. Carlos had lived in the U.S. for two years with his aunt’s legal permission. He had no criminal history. Yet he spent weeks in an ICE shelter.
A shelter system upended
ICE shelters were built to care for children who crossed the border alone. The Office of Refugee Resettlement runs about 170 federal homes. Under old rules, children got quick interviews and fast release to parents or sponsors. Now the system works the opposite way. ICE shelters hold more kids and keep them longer. Agencies add extra checks. They require DNA tests, many fingerprints, proof of home safety and financial records. Consequently, kids face months apart from family, school and friends.
Long stays and tough vetting
Under the prior administration, kids stayed in shelters about one month on average. Under current rules, the stay stretches to nearly six months. The extra time comes from new vetting steps. Sponsors must prove they can care safely for the child. They face deeper background checks. They even send photos of smoke alarms in their homes. As a result, many families worry it will take too long or fail altogether. Some never try.
Florida’s role in interior enforcement
Florida now has almost 5,000 state officers deputized to enforce federal immigration law. From highway patrol to wildlife agents, they can detain people over their immigration status. Then they call ICE. In one case, a Colombian family went for a routine fingerprinting appointment. Officers locked up the parents and sent three kids, ages five to 15, to ICE shelters for four months. This trend shows how state-federal ties send more children into ICE shelters.
What families and lawyers say
Advocates call these “small zero-tolerance policies.” They say the goal is to scare immigrants away. Marion Donovan-Kaloust, a lawyer in Los Angeles, warns the trauma adds up. She notes that many teens had lived here for years, going to school and church. Suddenly, they lose everything. Attorneys point to confusing notices that threaten kids with long detention if they don’t leave within 72 hours. They say the government uses children “as bait” to find or scare immigrant adults.
Looking ahead
The surge in ICE shelter placements raises hard questions about U.S. policy. Should routine police stops lead to family separations? Are lengthy vetting rules fair to kids seeking safety? As the number climbs, immigrant communities face growing fear. Meanwhile, advocates plan lawsuits and calls for policy changes. They hope to restore quicker releases and clearer rules to protect children from unnecessary detention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are children sent to ICE shelters?
Federal authorities place some kids in shelters if they travel alone or if they appear without a safe caregiver. However, new practices also send children after routine stops or appointments when ICE arrests a family member.
How long do children stay in ICE shelters?
Today, the average stay is nearly six months. In past years, children often spent only about one month before rejoining family or a vetted sponsor.
Can relatives get children out of ICE shelters?
Yes, but the process now involves more steps. Relatives must pass extra background checks, DNA tests, and prove a safe home. These rules can delay reunification for months.
What can community members do to help?
Advocates recommend learning about local immigrant rights organizations. They can offer legal advice and support families through the sponsorship process. Community voices also matter in urging lawmakers to change interior enforcement policies.