Navigating New Hurdles: Trump’s Tighter Reunification Policies

The Trump administration introduces stringent measures for parents wishing to reunite with their children who entered the United States alone. A recently obtained memo reveals that parents must now appear in person for identification checks, sparking concerns about arrests during these interviews.

Advocacy groups criticize that these changes could lead to the detention of parents, leaving children in government custody. Though Homeland Security hasn't confirmed these arrests, the administration aims to improve vetting processes to ensure children are released to safe environments.

While legal reviews of homes by the Office of Refugee Resettlement previously sufficed, the changes suggest increased involvement of federal law enforcement. The move, part of a series of policy revisions, extends children's average time in shelters due to heightened scrutiny.

(With inputs from agencies.)