 Unaccompanied Children's Services
On March 1, 2003, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Section 462, transferred functions under U.S. immigration laws regarding the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service to the Director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
The DUCS program recognizes the importance of providing a safe and appropriate environment for unaccompanied alien children (UAC) from the time the minor is placed into ORR custody until his/her reunification with family members or sponsors in the U.S. or until he/she is removed to his/her home country by DHS immigration officials. DUCS takes into consideration the unique nature of each child’s situation and child welfare principles when making placement, case management, and release decisions that are in the best interest of the child.
DUCS RESPONSIBILITIES
- Making and implementing placement decisions for the UAC
- Ensuring that the interests of the child are considered in decisions related to the care and custody of UAC
- Reunifying UAC with qualified sponsors and family members, when appropriate
- Overseeing the infrastructure and personnel of ORR-funded UAC care provider facilities
- Conducting on-site monitoring visits of ORR-funded care provider facilities and ensuring compliance with DUCS national care standards
- Collecting, analyzing, and reporting statistical information on UAC
FACTS ABOUT UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN
UAC leave their home countries for the U.S. to rejoin family already in the United States, to escape abusive family relationships in the home country, or to find work to support their families in the home country In FY07, the numbers of children in ORR custody and care ranged from approximately 1,000 to 1,600. Of those, 76% were male and 24% female; 15% were below the age of 14
The most common native countries of UAC are El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Native Countries of UAC in FY07| Honduras | 29% |
| Guatemala | 29% |
| El Salvador | 27% |
| Mexico | 9% |
| Ecuador | 1.4% |
| Nicaragua | 1.1% |
| Brazil | 0.8% |
| China | 0.61% |
| Other | 3.2% |
SOCIAL SERVICES FACILITIES
The majority of children are cared for through a network of ORR-funded care provider facilities, most of which are located close to areas where immigration officials apprehend large numbers of aliens. There are currently more than 40 ORR-funded care provider facilities in 10 different states.
Care provider facilities are state licensed and must meet ORR requirements to ensure a high level of quality of care. The facilities, which operate under cooperative agreements and contracts, provide children with classroom education, health care, socialization/recreation, vocational training, mental health services, family reunification, access to legal services, and case management. Care provider facilities case management teams use effective screening tools to assess children for mental health and victim of trafficking issues.
- Most UAC are placed in shelters and group homes
- If a child requires a higher level of care due to a documented criminal history, secure placement options are available
- For children with special needs (young age, pregnant/parent, acute medical needs, mental health concerns), or who have no viable sponsor to reunite with while going through immigration proceedings, long-term foster care is available through ORR’s refugee foster care program network
- ORR funds certain special programs to serve children with acute medical and mental health needs
PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIPS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF SERVICE
- Coordination of a pro-bono attorney outreach project to pilot pro-bono capacity building models in major immigration apprehension areas so that more UAC can have access to legal representation
- Coordination of a child protection advocacy pilot project based in Chicago
- Development of uniform national standards of care in partnership with ACF Children’s Bureau and child welfare experts
- Development of a comprehensive training program for all ORR-funded facilities and DUCS personnel and partners
- Collaboration and coordination with the ORR Anti-Trafficking in Persons Team to identify victims of trafficking in the UAC population
- Collaboration with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol, the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), and non-profit community-based legal service providers
Policy and Guidance
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Immunizations and Pregnancy Testing for UAC Females (pdf 32KB)
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Policy Clarification Release of a Child to an Unrelated Adult (pdf 173KB)
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Medical Services Requiring Heightened ORR Involvement (pdf 92KB)
Apprehensions in FY 2007
Funding Opportunities
Contact Information
Maureen Dunn
Division Director
Office of Refugee Resettlement
Administration for Children and Families
901 D Street, SW
Washington, DC 20447
Phone: 202.401.9246
Fax: 202.401.1022