ICE Offers $2,500 to Unaccompanied Immigrant Children to Leave US Voluntarily

ICE Targets Unaccompanied Immigrant Children with $2,500 Deportation Payment In a move sparking outrage among immigration advocates, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun targeting unaccompanied immigrant children, offering them $2,500 to agree to be deported, according to a government memo obtained by The Intercept. The operation, which ICE denied was called "Freaky Friday," is part of President Donald Trump's ongoing mass deportation campaign. The memo states that immigrant children 14 years or older would receive the payment in exchange for agreeing to be deported. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will provide a one-time resettlement support stipend of $2,500. "This is a shocking and disturbing development," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. "The idea that masked men would go to 14-year-olds and ask them to waive their rights to return to the countries they fled is unconscionable." ICE officials defended the operation, saying it was designed to expedite the deportation process and reduce costs associated with detaining minors. "This program is a common-sense solution to a complex problem," said an ICE spokesperson. "We're providing a financial incentive for unaccompanied children to agree to be deported, rather than continuing to hold them in detention." Immigration advocates argue that the operation is a cynical ploy to exploit vulnerable children and undermine their rights. "This is a clear attempt by the Trump administration to manipulate and coerce immigrant children into agreeing to deportation," said Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), a member of the House Judiciary Committee. "We will not stand idly by while this administration continues to disregard the well-being and dignity of these young people." The operation is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to ramp up deportations amid the federal government shutdown. Immigration advocates speculate that ICE deliberately timed the operation to minimize public attention. As the controversy surrounding the operation continues to unfold, immigration advocates are vowing to fight against what they see as an egregious abuse of power. "We will not let this stand," said Rodriguez. "We will continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of these children, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that no child is coerced or manipulated into agreeing to deportation." Background: The Trump administration has been criticized for its handling of unaccompanied immigrant children, who are often detained in facilities with inadequate resources. The administration's "zero-tolerance" policy has led to a surge in deportations and criticisms from human rights groups. Additional Perspectives: Some immigration experts argue that the operation is a necessary step to address the complex issue of unaccompanied minors. "This program is a pragmatic solution to a problem that has been plaguing our country for years," said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. "We need to find ways to expedite the deportation process and reduce costs associated with detaining minors." Others argue that the operation is a thinly veiled attempt by the Trump administration to further its anti-immigrant agenda. "This is just another example of the Trump administration's disregard for human rights and dignity," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a member of the House Oversight Committee. "We will continue to fight against this administration's cruel and inhumane policies." Current Status: The operation is ongoing, with ICE officials saying that they are working to identify eligible children and provide them with the $2,500 payment. Immigration advocates are vowing to continue their efforts to block the operation and protect the rights of unaccompanied immigrant children. *Reporting by Theintercept.*