ICE Using Kids as Bait, Deportation Orders Surge: News Today
ICE agents are reportedly arresting the relatives who show up to collect migrant children from federal shelters — lawyers say the children are being used as bait. At the same time, deportation orders in New York City more than doubled in June 2026, hitting a record high nationwide. These two stories together signal a sharp escalation in enforcement that touches families, sponsors, and even green card holders.
What if coming forward to pick up a child from a federal shelter gets you arrested? That is exactly what attorneys say is happening right now. According to the Texas Tribune, ICE agents are detaining relatives and sponsors who show up to take custody of migrant children held in federal shelters. Lawyers are calling it a deliberate trap — using children as bait to identify and arrest adults. Kids are left waiting in shelters for months as a result.
Deportation Orders in NYC More Than Doubled in June
Removal orders for people who missed their immigration court hearings in New York City more than doubled in June 2026, according to The City Reporter. Nationwide, the number hit a record high. These are called "in absentia" orders — meaning a judge issued a deportation order without the person present. If you have a court date and miss it, a judge can order your removal that same day, without hearing your side.
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Green Card Holder Could Face Re-Arrest After Court Reversal
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian green card holder living in Vermont and studying at Columbia University, was released by a lower court. A federal appeals court overturned that decision, according to VT Digger and the AP. The Trump administration is still seeking his deportation, and he could now potentially be re-arrested. His case shows that even a green card does not guarantee protection from removal proceedings if the government decides to pursue deportation.
Elsewhere, a Trump-appointed federal judge — U.S. District Court Judge Eric Tostrud — dismissed the federal government's challenge to Minnesota's sanctuary city policies. The judge rejected the argument that those state and local laws violated the Constitution's Supremacy Clause. And in New York, advocates are warning that immigrants who rely on housing vouchers, Medicaid, or SNAP may feel pressure to give up those benefits to improve their chances on a green card application — a direct consequence of the administration's public charge rule.
What to Do
- If you are a sponsor or relative of a child in federal custody, speak with an immigration lawyer before going to pick up the child. Attorneys say ICE may be present at these transfers.
- If you have an upcoming immigration court hearing, attend it — even if you think nothing will happen. Missing a hearing can result in a deportation order issued the same day.
- If you receive government benefits like Medicaid or SNAP and are planning to apply for a green card, ask an immigration attorney how the public charge rule may affect your case before making any changes.
- If you are a green card holder and receive any notice from USCIS or the Department of Justice about your status, do not ignore it — contact an immigration lawyer immediately.
What to do, step by step — see our guide “Deportation Defense”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
The reports of ICE arresting sponsors at shelter pickups are deeply alarming from a legal standpoint — anyone who goes to claim a child should be accompanied by an attorney or at minimum have one on call. Green card holders facing deportation proceedings have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge and the right to legal representation, though the government does not provide a lawyer for free. If you are in any of these situations, consult an immigration attorney before taking any action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me if I go to pick up a child from a federal shelter?
Attorneys say yes, this is happening. According to the Texas Tribune, ICE has been detaining sponsors and relatives who come forward to take custody of migrant children. Before going to any federal facility to pick up a child, speak with an immigration lawyer.
What happens if I miss my immigration court hearing?
A judge can issue a deportation order in your absence — called an 'in absentia' removal order. You will not get another chance to present your case at that hearing. Deportation orders in NYC more than doubled in June 2026 for exactly this reason. Always attend your scheduled court date.
Can the government deport a green card holder?
Yes. A green card gives you permanent resident status, but it does not make you immune from deportation. The government can seek removal if it believes you violated certain laws or conditions. The case of Mohsen Mahdawi — a green card holder whose release was overturned by a federal appeals court — shows this risk is real.
Will using Medicaid or SNAP hurt my green card application?
It may, under the current administration's public charge rule. Advocates in New York are warning that using certain government benefits — including housing vouchers, Medicaid, and SNAP — could be used against you when USCIS reviews your green card application. Talk to an immigration attorney before giving up any benefits, because the rules are complex and the consequences go both ways.