ICE arrests of migrant children double as Texas maintains border emergency

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested more than 8,500 migrant children through July under the second administration of President Donald Trump, doubling the number of arrests compared to the same period in 2025. Legal experts report that many children are being held in locations such as hotels and office buildings, making it difficult for families and lawyers to locate them.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has renewed a border security disaster proclamation, claiming illegal crossings pose an imminent threat. This declaration allows the governor to bypass the state legislature to shift funds, suspend regulations, and award no-bid contracts. While Abbott maintains the emergency status, the Trump administration has reported that migrant crossings have reached historic lows since January 2025.