Rules for unaccompanied migrant children now match the law, after 16 years

The US government is updating its rules for how it cares for unaccompanied migrant children. The new rules bring the agency's practices in line with a law passed in 2008.

For 16 years, the agency responsible for migrant children operated under rules that did not fully reflect the law. This meant that children's care and placement decisions were made under a less strict interpretation of their legal protections. The update means the agency must now follow the full requirements of the 2008 law, which was designed to protect children from trafficking and ensure their well-being.