The Trump administration has been deporting parents without their children, despite its own policies requiring families to be kept together, according to a report released on Tuesday. The findings, compiled by a coalition of immigrant rights groups, highlight a pattern of policy violations that has subjected separated families to further trauma.
The report, titled “Broken Promises,” documents at least 30 cases in which parents were deported while their children remained in U.S. custody. In each instance, officials claimed the separations were justified under existing guidelines, yet the families were not reunited as required by federal policy. Advocates argue that these actions contradict the administration’s stated commitment to minimizing family separation and undermine legal protections for migrant families.
“This is a clear violation of the government’s own rules,” said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Immigrant Rights Action Network. “These families are being torn apart a second time, and the administration is doing it in secret.” The report also notes that many of the affected parents were not given adequate notice or opportunity to communicate with their children before deportation.
Immigration officials have defended the practice, stating that some parents may have been deemed unfit or unwilling to care for their children. However, the report disputes these claims, pointing to cases where parents were separated without proper documentation or justification. Legal experts warn that these deportations could have long-term psychological effects on the children left behind, many of whom are already in state custody.
The findings come amid growing scrutiny of the administration’s immigration enforcement policies, which have faced criticism for their harsh treatment of migrant families. A 2025 executive order had initially pledged to limit family separations, but advocates argue that loopholes and inconsistent enforcement have allowed the practice to continue under a different name.
The report calls for an immediate review of all deportation cases involving separated families and urges Congress to hold the administration accountable. As of now, the Department of Homeland Security has not responded to requests for comment.
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