Multiple Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been granted access to information in a database on unaccompanied children who crossed the border into the United States — in line with the first Trump administration's policies, which were revoked by the president's successor.
An ICE spokesperson told NPR that some of its officers already had access to databases.
"ICE juvenile coordinators, who are trained in laws and regulations related to unaccompanied alien children, have always had access to ORR's UAC database," the spokesperson said.
Still, internal HHS communication reviewed by NPR states additional ICE personnel out of headquarters were granted access to the portals this week.
The move came at the same time that new guidance was internally circulated regarding the of verification of sponsors. The guidance, which was published by HHS on Friday, requires fingerprinting for all adult sponsors and adult household members prior to release of a minor.
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