First Focus sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to express our deep concern with recent policy changes to the Unaccompanied Alien Children’s (UAC) program that are causing an unprecedented rise in the numbers of migrant children in Federal custody. The number of children in ORR custody has risen to more than 14,000 in November of 2018, the highest number ever recorded and more than twice the number at the outset of the Trump Administration.

In the letter we urge the Department to review and reverse policies that have contributed directly to this increase.

HHS must adhere to best practices and the advice of both medical professionals and child welfare advocates that institutionalized care should only be used as a last resort rather than as a broader tactic for immigration enforcement.

Read First Focus’ letter to Secretary Azar at the Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information about the influx shelter at Tornillo, see our blog post from Kristen Torres about her visit to the facility.