DHS Denies Move to Deport Children on Social Media Despite Numerous Reports to the Contrary

Children’s rights advocates say asking unaccompanied minors to self-deport is coercive, dangerous, and undermines basic protections

Teen being arrested after refusing to self deport; Wikipedia [CC BY 4.0]

Washington, D.C. — In a move drawing fierce backlash from legal experts and child welfare advocates alike, the Trump administration has initiated a controversial tactic aimed at speeding up deportations of migrant children and teens, by asking them if they’d like to “voluntarily” leave the country.

According to two Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials and an inside source familiar with the matter, frontline Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have been directed to begin asking unaccompanied minors, specifically those between the ages of 14 and 17, whether they wish to self-deport upon arrival at the U.S. border.

If a child agrees, they are handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for removal. If they refuse, or if ICE fails to collect them within 72 hours, only then are they transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has traditionally been responsible for their care.

This represents a stark departure from long-standing protocols that prioritize the welfare of unaccompanied minors. Historically, CBP and ICE were required to turn over such children to HHS, where they could access basic services, legal support, and safe housing while awaiting immigration proceedings.

Children’s rights groups are calling the new approach unethical and deeply troubling.

"A child is in no position to understand the consequences of self-deporting," Neha Desai, managing director of Children's Human Rights at the National Center for Youth Law, told CNN. "Unaccompanied children are being used as pawns in an effort to deport as many people as possible, regardless of the human toll it takes on the most vulnerable members of our community."

Critics argue that minors, particularly those fleeing violence or trafficking, are ill-equipped to make such consequential decisions without a guardian or legal representation. Asking them to “choose” deportation under duress is not a legitimate option, they argue—it’s a pressure tactic.

Legal advocates have also pointed out the potential violation of international child welfare standards and due process rights. Many worry the policy could lead to irreversible harm, sending traumatized children back to countries where their lives may be in danger.

Despite mounting outcry, the administration has not publicly addressed the rationale behind the change or how it intends to ensure that children understand the ramifications of their decisions.

With the policy now reportedly in effect, immigration lawyers and child welfare organizations are scrambling to prepare for what could be a wave of high-stakes deportations, many involving children with no real understanding of what they’re agreeing to.

DHS was furious over this news leak, calling it "Fake News," despite there being first hand witnesses and numerous news agencies reporting it. They immediately issued a denial on X (formally Twitter) claiming the CNN report (the first of many) was inaccurate. The post read:

"FAKE NEWS. The TOP priority of the Trump Administration is the safety of children and ensuring they are reunited with their parents or safe guardian—UNLIKE the Biden administration, which LOST nearly 300,000 migrant children.

This is a long-standing practice used to prioritize getting children back to the safety of a parent or legal guardian in their home country and is accredited in the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022.  

The only change pursuant to the Big Beautiful Bill is expanding this option to return home to UACs from additional countries beyond Mexico and Canada."

DHS has not addressed the story again since it first aired 24 hours ago.