The Trump administration is establishing a massive call center to track down unaccompanied migrant children across America, processing up to 7,000 calls daily to locate minors for potential deportation.
Story Highlights
- ICE announces National Call Center in Nashville to track migrant children for removal.
- Facility expected to handle 6,000-7,000 daily calls from law enforcement nationwide.
- Center targets unaccompanied minors as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown.
- DHS offers voluntary departure payments of $2,500 to migrant children.
ICE Establishes Tracking Infrastructure for Migrant Minors
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced plans for a “National Call Center” in Nashville, Tennessee, designed to help law enforcement agencies locate unaccompanied migrant children for potential removal.
The agency posted a contracting document, citing an “immediate need” for this tracking capability. This represents a significant escalation in immigration enforcement targeting minors who entered the country illegally without parental supervision.
Massive Daily Operation Expected by Summer 2026
The proposed call center will process between 6,000 to 7,000 calls per day regarding the locations of migrant minors, indicating the vast scope of children who remain unaccounted for across the United States.
ICE officials project the facility will become fully operational by June 2026, providing a centralized hub for coordinating removal operations. This infrastructure demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to comprehensive immigration enforcement, including those who have been living in American communities.
Immigration Advocates Oppose Child Tracking Initiative
Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, criticized the call center as undermining federal child protection laws. Lukens argued that the Trump administration has been “actively attempting to dismantle” existing programs meant to protect unaccompanied children.
He contends the center will “only serve to make it easier to deport them” rather than ensuring their safety, reflecting broader opposition from immigration advocacy groups.
Administration Offers Financial Incentives for Voluntary Departure
The Department of Homeland Security has implemented additional measures targeting unaccompanied migrant children, including a $2,500 “one-time resettlement” stipend for voluntary departure from the United States.
This financial incentive program, announced to legal service providers last month, represents an alternative to forced removal proceedings. Combined with the tracking call center, these initiatives signal a comprehensive approach to addressing the longstanding crisis of unaccompanied minors who entered illegally during previous administrations.
