Stephen Miller, a senior White House advisor and a key figure in shaping immigration policy, is reportedly leading a government-wide initiative to expedite the removal of undocumented immigrant children from the United States. This effort, involving at least five major federal agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Justice (DoJ), has drawn criticism from advocates who argue it is inhumane, racially biased, and possibly unlawful. The White House has not denied Miller's involvement but has described the initiative as part of an anti-trafficking effort rather than a broader enforcement campaign. According to Mobile Pathways, an advocacy group that tracks immigration-related data, the number of court-ordered removals of children has nearly doubled since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January 2025. Over 200,000 children have been ordered removed from the U.S. in this period, with more than 70% of them being under the age of 13. The increase has been marked by a sharp rise in monthly removal orders, from 7,366 in January 2025 to over 16,000 by July of the same year. The White House has emphasized that the Homeland Security Council, led by Miller, is focused on rescuing children from trafficking, not enforcing removals. Critics and some legal experts argue that the administration is using the trafficking narrative to justify a broader crackdown on undocumented children, potentially undermining their legal rights and access to services. Reports suggest that federal agencies are working more closely than ever before, including the formation of a specialized "tiger team" to coordinate policies around unaccompanied minors. This collaboration has raised concerns about the sharing of confidential information between immigration enforcement and child welfare agencies, which some say may be legally questionable. In addition, the administration has reportedly defunded over 20,000 attorneys who previously represented unaccompanied children in immigration courts, a move that has been widely criticized as undermining their legal defenses. While the Department of Defense was initially involved in recruiting lawyers to represent these children, HHS has since stated it is no longer pursuing this approach. Advocates argue that these policies are leaving children in foster care or detention for extended periods, which can lead to psychological harm and a sense of hopelessness. They also note that while some instances of trafficking have been identified, the administration's focus appears to be on mass removals rather than addressing individual cases of exploitation.