Unaccompanied Minors Today

The TVPRA requires that children encountered by border agents be transferred to ORR custody, typically within 72 hours.

This report examines the legal definition, care standards, and recent oversight findings regarding Unaccompanied Children (UC) or Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) in the United States as of early 2026. 1. Definition and Demographics Unaccompanied Minors

: In fiscal year 2023, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) cared for approximately 119,000 children. Numbers spiked post-pandemic, exceeding 100,000 annually through FY2024. 2. Federal Care and Placement Process The TVPRA requires that children encountered by border

: The majority (roughly 81%) originate from Northern Triangle countries: Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. 000 children. Numbers spiked post-pandemic

ORR Unaccompanied Alien Children Bureau Policy Guide: Section 3