Release Date 
08/29/2025

The children are reportedly under the care of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) but would be repatriated as part of a pilot program with the Guatemalan government.

Officials described the effort as the first of its kind and directed staff to halt certain releases of Guatemalan children to relatives in the United States.

It was not immediately clear whether the children had appeared before an immigration judge and said that they wished to return home voluntarily, which could be considered a repatriation.

As of August 2025, there are just under 2,000 children in HHS custody, with a majority originating from Central American countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, according to the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The Trump administration has carried out more so-called welfare checks of immigrant children across the U.S. and has ramped up enforcement actions such as placing children in expedited removal proceedings.

Immigrant advocates have raised concerns about these practices. Unaccompanied children are considered a protected and vulnerable group.

The pilot program, in conjunction with the Guatemalan government, could lead to similar agreements with other countries if successful.