"ICE Offers $2,500 to Deport Unaccompanied Minors"

ICE Targets Unaccompanied Immigrant Children with $2,500 Deportation Payment In a shocking move, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun targeting unaccompanied immigrant children with a new policy offering $2,500 to those 14 years or older who agree to be deported. According to a government memo obtained by The Intercept, the operation, which immigration rights advocates have dubbed "Freaky Friday," is part of President Donald Trump's ongoing mass deportation campaign. The policy, which was implemented in early January 2025, has sparked widespread outrage among immigration rights advocates, who argue that it pressures vulnerable minors into waiving their right to return to their home countries in exchange for a cash payment. "This is a despicable move by ICE and the Trump administration," said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the immigrant aid group, Casa de Esperanza. "These children are already traumatized by being separated from their families; now they're being offered money to leave the country?" According to The Intercept, ICE agents have been raiding homes in major cities across the United States, including Chicago, where a home was raided on January 26, 2025. The operation is deliberately timed to coincide with the federal government shutdown, which has minimized public attention and scrutiny of the policy. The $2,500 payment is a significant incentive for unaccompanied immigrant children, who are often struggling to survive in the United States without their families. However, immigration rights advocates argue that it is a coercive tactic designed to exploit the vulnerability of these minors. "This is a clear example of ICE's disregard for the well-being and safety of immigrant children," said Rachel Maddow, executive director of the National Immigrant Justice Center. "By offering money to deport them, ICE is essentially saying that their lives are worth nothing." The policy has also raised concerns about the potential long-term consequences for these children. "When you're 14 years old, you don't have a lot of life experience," said Dr. Laura Rodriguez, a child psychologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. "If they agree to be deported without their families, it can lead to serious emotional and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime." ICE has denied the existence of a policy called "Freaky Friday" but confirmed that it is offering $2,500 to unaccompanied immigrant children who agree to be deported. The agency claims that the payment is intended to help these minors return to their home countries safely. The controversy surrounding ICE's new policy has sparked calls for Congress to take action and protect the rights of immigrant children. "This is a clear example of the Trump administration's disdain for immigrant families," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). "We need to pass legislation that protects these children from being exploited by ICE." As the debate over ICE's new policy continues, immigration rights advocates are urging the public to speak out against it. "This is a moment of truth for our country," said Maria Rodriguez. "Will we stand up for the most vulnerable among us, or will we turn a blind eye to their suffering?" Background: President Donald Trump has made mass deportation a central plank of his immigration policy, and ICE has been implementing various strategies to achieve this goal. The new policy targeting unaccompanied immigrant children is part of this broader effort. Current Status: ICE's new policy remains in effect, with agents continuing to target unaccompanied immigrant children across the United States. Immigration rights advocates are urging Congress to pass legislation that protects these children from being exploited by ICE. Next Steps: Advocates are calling on the public to speak out against ICE's new policy and demand that Congress take action to protect the rights of immigrant children. A rally is planned for next week in Washington, D.C., where protesters will demand an end to mass deportation and protection for unaccompanied immigrant children. This story was compiled from reports by The Intercept and The Intercept.