Trump Administration Plans Return of 600 Guatemalan Children

The Trump administration is planning to repatriate over 600 unaccompanied Guatemalan children currently in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) back to Guatemala as part of an unprecedented pilot program coordinated with Guatemalan authorities. Officials describe these transfers as "repatriations" rather than deportations, implying a voluntary departure, but advocates and some officials express concern about whether the children, many without legal representation, understand the implications and the potential risks to their safety. This initiative also includes halting certain releases of Guatemalan children to relatives in the U.S., with intensified well-being checks and barriers to release. The plan has drawn criticism from Senator Ron Wyden and various advocacy groups who argue it may violate child welfare policies and the U.S.'s obligations to protect vulnerable immigrant children. The program comes amid broader concerns highlighted in a Department of Homeland Security report about the safety and tracking of unaccompanied migrant children released to sponsors. Official responses from the White House and Guatemalan embassy have not been provided, and the situation remains under close scrutiny.