Federal Raids Target Migrant Kids, Split Families

The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States, placing them in government custody following "welfare checks" conducted by ICE and other federal agencies. These operations are part of a broader campaign coordinated through a "war room" inside the Department of Health and Human Services, where officials review data on children who entered the country alone and were later released to sponsors. While the administration claims this effort aims to protect children from unsafe conditions or unqualified sponsors, critics note that new vetting requirements—including income verification, government IDs, and DNA tests—have made it significantly more difficult for parents and guardians, especially undocumented ones, to reclaim their children.