Senator Ron Wyden accuses US health agency of plan to deport more than 500 migrant children

Ron Wyden , a US senator of Oregon , accused the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) of preparing to use what he describes as an “unprecedented legal framework” to deport more than 500 unaccompanied migrant children currently in the custody of the agency’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). In a letter addressed to the HHS secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr , Wyden said he had obtained “credible information” that the department was using a list of more than 500 children as targets for expedited removal under a new administrative process that he says lacks statutory authority. He called the reported initiative “deeply alarming” and urged HHS to immediately suspend any related screening or removal efforts. Wyden’s letter said: “Based on information available to me, the children on this list have been mainly placed in long term foster care with ORR providers around the country and all have been in federal custody for at least 180 days”. He wrote that they had been classified as category 4 children, meaning they have no viable sponsor identified in the US – a relative or vetted individual who vouches and advocates for them. The senator also stated that the vast majority had legal representation in their immigration proceedings. He warned that proceeding with removals without involving those attorneys would constitute “a severe breach of due process”. …