ICE Plans National Call Center to Help Locate Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Sat Nov 08 2025 03:18:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is set to establish a national call center in Nashville, Tennessee, aimed at assisting local and state law enforcement in finding unaccompanied migrant children who have entered the country illegally.

ICE has announced plans to open a national call center by the end of March, which is expected to handle between 6,000 to 7,000 calls daily to assist in locating unaccompanied alien children. This move comes amidst extensive immigration reforms and increased enforcement partnerships with local agencies, following substantial government funding directed towards immigration and border security. The call center is intended to boost coordination efforts as unaccompanied minors continue to cross the border.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has unveiled its plans to establish a national call center aimed at assisting local and state law enforcement agencies in locating unaccompanied migrant children who entered the country illegally. The call center, which will be located in Nashville, Tennessee, is intended to operate 24/7 and is expected to manage between 6,000 and 7,000 calls each day.

ICE has expressed an “immediate need” for the facility, aiming to have it open by the end of March and fully operational by June. They are currently soliciting information from potential vendors regarding technology that could enhance call efficiency and improve the center's overall capabilities.

Additionally, ICE is seeking vendors capable of transporting large numbers of detainees across Texas. New legislation requiring counties with jails to partner with ICE has motivated this initiative, underscoring the increasing collaboration between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement agencies.

The decision to invest in a call center and transportation capabilities aligns with a broader government strategy that has allocated approximately $170 billion towards immigration and border security measures. This reinforcement comes in response to a significant uptick in the number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the U.S. southern border, which has strained existing resources and necessitated enhanced operational strategies.

Currently, the U.S. government defines unaccompanied migrant children as those under the age of 18 without lawful immigration status or a guardian in the country to take custody of them. They are typically placed in shelters operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, with the possibility of being released to sponsors.

The establishment of the call center in Nashville also raises questions about the choice of location, particularly as CoreCivic Inc., a major private detention contractor and contributor to GOP candidates, is headquartered nearby. While ICE has not confirmed whether CoreCivic will be involved with the call center operations, the company's significant involvement in ICE contracts suggests a potential link.

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment on this development. As the initiative unfolds, it highlights ongoing debates around immigration policies and the treatment of unaccompanied minors, with advocacy groups closely monitoring these changes.”