Wyden Accuses HHS of Illegal Coordination with ICE
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) has accused the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of illegally coordinating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport migrant children and their families. In a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Wyden cited internal documents that he says show HHS officials sharing confidential information about unaccompanied minors with ICE, leading to deportations that violate legal protections for vulnerable migrants.
Internal Documents Reveal Data Sharing
The documents, which Wyden’s office obtained through a whistleblower, indicate that HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has been providing ICE with lists of migrant children who are about to turn 18, along with their addresses and court dates. Wyden argues this practice undermines the legal framework that requires ORR to protect children from deportation while they pursue asylum or other relief. According to Wyden, the data sharing has resulted in at least 200 deportations of children and their families since January 2025.
Legal Protections at Risk
Under current law, unaccompanied minors in HHS custody are entitled to a hearing before an immigration judge and are generally not to be deported without due process. Wyden’s letter states that the coordination violates the Flores settlement agreement and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. “This is a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of children,” Wyden said. “HHS is supposed to be a refuge, not a deportation pipeline.”
HHS Responds to Allegations
An HHS spokesperson denied the allegations, stating that the department “operates within the bounds of federal law and prioritizes the welfare of children in its care.” The spokesperson added that information sharing with ICE is limited to cases where there is a legal obligation, such as when a minor has committed a serious crime or poses a public safety threat. However, Wyden’s office claims the documents show no such exemptions were applied in the cases cited.
Impact on Migrant Families
Advocacy groups have expressed alarm over the reports. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called for an immediate investigation, noting that the alleged practices could deter families from seeking asylum. “Children are being sent back to danger without a fair chance to present their cases,” said Lee Gelernt, an ACLU attorney. The allegations come amid a broader crackdown on illegal immigration under the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from both sides of the aisle for its handling of the southern border.
Wyden Calls for Congressional Inquiry
Wyden has called for a formal congressional investigation and requested that HHS provide all documents related to the coordination by July 15. He also urged Becerra to halt any data sharing with ICE immediately. “The department must stop this practice until we can ensure that children’s rights are protected,” Wyden wrote. The senator’s office has not yet released the full documents, citing ongoing confidentiality concerns, but plans to share them with the relevant oversight committees.
