What Families Should Know About Recent Reports Involving ICE and Unaccompanied Minors
Recent reports have circulated about an alleged U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation referred to as “Freaky Friday.” According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and others, the effort was expected to begin on Friday, October 3, and focus on unaccompanied minors, starting with those aged 14-17.
What Has Been Reported
Initial reports suggest children under the custody of the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR) are being provided a limited window to accept up to $2,500 to voluntarily return to their home countries, waiving any legal immigration claims in the United States.
Immigrant advocates expressed concern that children could not make an informed decision about the potential success of their long-term legal claims while facing $2,500 from detention. Advocates were also concerned that information from ICE threatened transfer to ICE custody when the children reached adulthood, or threats of detention to any relatives in the United States, and that the operation would expand to children as young as 10 years old.
DHS and ICE Response
ICE expressed offense at the term "Operation Freaky Friday," asserting that anti-ICE activists made up the term to instill fear and spread misinformation and further encourage the recent increase in violence against federal law enforcement officers. They assert that the goal is to protect unaccompanied children who were trafficked or smuggled into the United States. They claim the option is strictly voluntary and offered only to detained 17-year-olds, and that any financial support would occur only after an immigration judge approves the return and the child safely arrives in their country of origin.
What Families Need to Know
- The reported policy appears to involve a limited group of unaccompanied minors and does not apply to all immigrant children.
- There are no indications of widespread ICE arrests or increased enforcement at shelters, schools, or other community locations.
- The initiative, as described, is separate from ongoing ICE or CBP enforcement activities along the border or within the interior.
What Families Should Do:
Stay Informed - Follow verified updates from DHS, ICE, or HHS through their official websites and social-media channels.
Keep Records - Save any letters or communications your child receives from immigration authorities, including envelopes and delivery information.
Ask Questions - If you are unsure about a letter or notice, reach out to a trusted immigration attorney or accredited representative before signing or submitting anything.
Avoid Rumors - Be cautious about unverified online claims or social-media posts. Wait for official updates before taking any action.