The Trump administration has directed caregivers of migrant children to stop reporting suspected human trafficking cases directly to the Office of Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), a move critics argue could hinder access to critical protections for vulnerable minors. This change, outlined in a September 10 memo obtained by The Associated Press, could leave some children who are victims of trafficking without the services they need and make it harder for them to qualify for asylum or visas that would allow them to stay in the U.S. The directive applies to about 1,800 children in federal custody who arrived in the U.S. without parents or were arrested with parents who were not legally present, as well as others who have been released but are still under supervision. Under previous policy, caregivers were required to screen unaccompanied children for labor or sex trafficking within five days of their arrival at a shelter or facility. If trafficking was suspected, caregivers had to report it within 24 hours to the OTIP, an agency established in 2015 to combat human trafficking and support victims. If OTIP confirmed a trafficking claim, the child could qualify for special protections, including the ability to move out of short-term housing, be placed in foster care, and attend public school. While this status does not prevent deportation, it can help children pursue visas for trafficking victims or asylum, and it also makes them eligible for benefits like food assistance and housing once they leave federal custody. The new directive, issued last week, instructs caregivers to report trafficking claims only to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which is responsible for housing unaccompanied minors. The ORR would then investigate the claims and decide which to send to OTIP for further review. The memo also urged caregivers to respond quickly to any requests for information. In a statement, the ORR cited a 2022 review that found 95% of nearly 9,000 trafficking reports were not valid for criminal investigations. Most of these reports involved allegations of abuse or neglect, not the forced labor or commercial sex defined by trafficking laws. However, 58% of the reports still qualified for trafficking-related benefits. The ORR said the change would improve oversight, reduce fraudulent claims, and ensure children who have experienced trafficking get help faster. Critics, however, argue the change could put children at risk. Jean Bruggeman, co-executive director of Freedom Network USA, warned that the shift could increase the likelihood of deportation before children receive necessary support, potentially exposing them to further harm. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon criticized the move, calling it an effort to prioritize political goals over child protection. He said the change moves responsibility for trafficking cases to the same agency that holds children in custody, undermining the role of experts in the field. Jen Smyers, who previously worked as deputy director of the ORR under the Biden administration, questioned the claim that the new process would streamline reporting. She noted that the ORR already receives trafficking reports but lacks the specialized expertise to assess them, unlike OTIP. She warned that the added layer of review could delay or miss legitimate cases and that staff might face political pressure to report fewer claims. Smyers also linked the change to a broader pattern of policies that have made it harder for unaccompanied minors to gain legal status, including stricter custody rules and reduced access to legal representation. She argued that the administration’s goal is to deport as many children as possible, and any protections that prevent that are seen as obstacles.