WASHINGTON
Padilla leads push to stop sharing of sensitive data on unaccompanied children for immigration enforcement
Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, led seven Senators in sounding the alarm on troubling reports that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has unlawfully granted expanded access to sensitive data on unaccompanied children and their sponsors to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Senators raised serious concerns that ICE could misuse this confidential information to enact mass deportations and detain immigrant families and demanded DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. immediately cease this misguided practice.
Under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), ORR maintains sensitive information about unaccompanied children and their sponsors, including the immigration status of household members, but this information is not meant to be shared for immigration enforcement purposes.
“Sharing of this information is subject to strict limits under several federal and state laws, regulations, and ORR policies in recognition of the severe harms to children and families that may follow from unauthorized use and disclosure,” wrote the Senators. “Reports that additional ICE personnel may now access ORR’s database raise serious questions about the authority and purpose for such use.”
“We are deeply concerned that broad and unlawful information sharing practices may be renewed, with dire consequences for children’s safety, rights, and the fair administration of justice,” continued the Senators. “Therefore, we request that you provide detailed information regarding the purpose, nature, and authority for any expanded information sharing between ORR and ICE. We also ask that you immediately suspend any access to ORR’s database and children’s case files that runs counter to existing law, policy, and regulations.”
Specifically, ORR’s confidential database contains information such as counseling notes, mental health information, and medical records, as well as private records of children’s trauma, physical and sexual abuse, and other harms they have experienced. The files also have detailed data about sponsors and other household members, which can include information about immigration status.
Under the previous Trump Administration, ORR and ICE entered into a Memorandum of Agreement giving ICE similar data access, which ICE used to conduct immigration enforcement against sponsors. This harmful ICE arrangement resulted in many children being forced into prolonged stays in ORR custody due to fear among sponsors to come forward.
In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter was also signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
Senator Padilla is a leading voice in Congress opposing President Trump’s anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. Padilla blasted the Trump Administration’s stop work order to organizations that provide legal services for unaccompanied children and demanded they protect Congressionally mandated legal representation for these children in the immigration system. He also recently cosponsored Senator Hirono’s Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025, which would provide unaccompanied children with legal representation when they appear in proceedings before an immigration judge. Full text of letter can be read here: https://www.padilla.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/DHS-and-ORR-information-sharing-letter-to-Secs.-Noem-and-Kennedy_4.8.25.pdf
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LAKEPORT
See’s candy in Easter special packaging to benefit scholarships, music and other programs
See’s candy in Easter special packaging will be available daily at North Lake Medical Pharmacy. Delta Iota Tau, a Lake County Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, sells See’s Candy all year through North Lake Medical Pharmacy located in the Bruno’s Shop Smart Center on Lakeport Boulevard. Delta Iota Tau is extremely grateful to North Lake Pharmacy for their generosity helps us make the candy available all year. This year we are pleased to announce that See’s Easter candy and specialty items are available also at Bruno’s Shop Smart from Tuesday April 15 through Saturday April 19. 11am to 6pm.
The money raised through these sales enables Delta Iota Tau to make a variety of community donations all year long. 100% of monies raised are donated to Lake County residents and non-profit organizations only.
Donations each year have included: Clear Lake High and Kelseyville High School scholarships and music programs; Park Study Project, Wreaths Across America, Sponsoring Survivorship, Lake County Habitat for Humanity, Senior Center Christmas Gifts, Operation Tango Mike, to name just a few. Additionally, donations are made to Hospice of Lake County, Soper Reese Theater, Joy Maderios Veteran Museum, Lakeport Fire Department Volunteers.
When the public purchases See’s Candy from Delta Iota Tau please remember that the purchase provides far more joy than to the person who receives the candy. “Many deserving people benefit from your purchase of See’s Candy, far more than you may imagine, states Chapter President, Taja Odom. thank you for supporting our community giving”.
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