The Trump administration has identified over 15,000 cases of adults gaining custody of multiple unaccompanied migrant children, signaling a potential push to prosecute so-called 'super-sponsors.' The Justice Department highlighted charges against three Guatemalan nationals accused of using false identification to gain custody of children, raising concerns about improper vetting in the program that reunites minors with sponsors.
Taking custody of multiple unrelated children is not a crime, but officials suggest deeper scrutiny may be applied to these cases. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, 'We will not accept half measures when it comes to securing the border, protecting American lives and saving children from exploitation.'
Under the Biden administration, officials aimed to release children to eligible sponsors within 30 days, but this approach led to some errors, including children being placed with adults who forced them into illegal work or provided false identification. The Trump administration tightened rules to prevent trafficking, resulting in longer custody times for children—206 days on average as of May, compared to 37 days when Trump took office. The number of children in federal custody has steadily declined.
The administration's actions reflect a broader effort to balance child welfare with border security, though critics argue the prolonged custody periods may have unintended consequences for the well-being of minors.