Federal Agents Now Make ‘Welfare Checks’ on Migrant Children

April 25, 2025 – Federal agents are conducting “welfare checks” on unaccompanied migrant children in North Texas, a move that has sparked concern among families and immigration advocates. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that these checks aim to verify the safety and well-being of minors who entered the U.S. without a parent or guardian and are now living with sponsors.

However, the involvement of federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF in these checks has raised alarms. Critics argue that the presence of armed agents conducting unannounced visits can instill fear in immigrant communities, potentially leading to unintended consequences.

A recent DHS Inspector General report highlighted challenges in tracking unaccompanied minors after their release from federal custody. The report found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could not effectively monitor the location and status of all unaccompanied alien children, with over 31,000 cases having incomplete or inaccurate address information.

While DHS emphasizes that the primary goal of these welfare checks is to ensure children’s safety, the lack of clear protocols and the potential for data collected during these visits to be used in future immigration enforcement actions remain points of contention. Advocacy groups continue to call for transparency and safeguards to protect the rights and well-being of these vulnerable children.