ICE Offers $2,500 Deportation Payment to Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

ICE Targets Unaccompanied Immigrant Children with Deportation Payment In a move that has sparked outrage among immigration rights advocates, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have begun targeting unaccompanied immigrant children, offering them $2,500 in exchange for agreeing to be deported. According to a government memo obtained by The Intercept, the operation, allegedly dubbed "Freaky Friday" by ICE officials, is part of President Donald Trump's ongoing mass deportation campaign. The memo states that immigrant children 14 years or older would receive $2,500 in exchange for waiving their rights to return to their home countries. "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 give up their rights is unconscionable." ICE officials denied the existence of a program called "Freaky Friday" but confirmed that they are offering a one-time resettlement support stipend of $2,500 to eligible immigrant children. The operation has been criticized by immigration advocates who argue that it is an attempt to exploit vulnerable minors. "This is a cynical and manipulative tactic designed to coerce children into giving up their rights," said Rachel Self, a lawyer with the National Immigrant Justice Center. ICE officials defended the program, saying it is intended to help immigrant children who are not eligible for asylum or other forms of relief. "We are providing an opportunity for these children to return home and reunite with their families," said an ICE spokesperson. The operation has sparked concerns about the impact on unaccompanied minors, many of whom have fled violence and persecution in their home countries. According to a report by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, there were over 60,000 unaccompanied immigrant children in U.S. custody as of January 2025. Immigration advocates argue that the program is part of a larger effort to dismantle protections for immigrant children. "This is just another example of the Trump administration's efforts to undermine the rights and dignity of immigrant children," said Rodriguez. As the federal government shutdown continues, ICE officials have been working to minimize public attention on the operation. However, immigration advocates are vowing to continue their fight against the program. "We will not stand idly by while ICE tries to exploit vulnerable children for its own purposes," said Self. "We will continue to advocate for the rights and dignity of immigrant children." Background: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been implementing a range of policies aimed at increasing deportations, including the expansion of expedited removal procedures. The Trump administration has also sought to limit access to asylum and other forms of relief for immigrant children. Additional Perspectives: Some immigration advocates have expressed concerns that the program may be targeting children who are eligible for asylum or other forms of relief. "We need to ensure that these children are not being coerced into giving up their rights," said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Others argue that the program is necessary to address the backlog of unaccompanied minors in U.S. custody. "We need to find ways to safely and humanely reunite these children with their families," said an ICE official. Current Status: The operation is ongoing, with ICE officials continuing to offer $2,500 payments to eligible immigrant children. Immigration advocates are vowing to continue their fight against the program, while ICE officials defend the initiative as a necessary step to address the backlog of unaccompanied minors in U.S. custody. *Reporting by Theintercept.*