ICE Expands Home Visits to Immigration Sponsors in 2026

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has expanded its practice of conducting unannounced home visits to sponsors of immigrants across the United States. The visits, which primarily target sponsors of unaccompanied minors released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), have increasingly extended to sponsors of other immigrants on bond or orders of supervision. Immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations report that the visits have created widespread fear among sponsor families, many of whom are themselves undocumented or have mixed immigration status.

Background: The Sponsor Home Visit Program

The federal government has long conducted welfare checks on unaccompanied minors placed with sponsors after their release from ORR custody. These visits were originally designed to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. Under the Flores Settlement Agreement and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), the government has an obligation to place unaccompanied minors in the least restrictive setting possible, which typically means releasing them to a sponsor — usually a parent, relative, or family friend already in the United States.

Historically, post-release services were managed by ORR through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with home visits conducted by social workers focused on child welfare. However, the nature of these visits has shifted significantly. Immigration attorneys report that ICE officers, rather than HHS social workers, are now conducting or accompanying home visits, and that the focus has expanded beyond child welfare to include immigration enforcement.

What Happens During a Sponsor Home Visit

Sponsor home visits vary in their nature and intensity, but immigration attorneys and advocacy groups report common patterns:

• Unannounced arrival: ICE officers or contractors typically arrive without prior notice, often early in the morning or in the evening when families are most likely to be home.
• Identification demands: Officers may ask to see identification for all individuals present in the home, including adults who are not the sponsor or the sponsored minor.
• Questions about immigration status: Officers may ask questions about the immigration status of the sponsor, other household members, and any other individuals living at the address.
• Home inspection: Officers may request to enter the home and inspect living conditions, sleeping arrangements, and the general environment.
• Documentation review: Officers may ask to see documents related to the sponsorship arrangement, the minor's school enrollment, and medical records.
• Biometric collection: In some cases, officers have collected fingerprints or photographs from sponsors and household members.

Your Legal Rights During a Home Visit

Sponsors and household members have important legal rights during a home visit by ICE or any government agent. Understanding these rights is critical:

• Right to refuse entry: You do not have to allow ICE officers into your home unless they have a judicial warrant (signed by a federal or state judge). You can ask to see the warrant through a window or by having it slid under the door. An ICE administrative warrant does not authorize entry.
• Right to remain silent: You are not required to answer questions about your immigration status or the immigration status of anyone in your household. You can say, "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
• Right to an attorney: You have the right to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. You can say, "I want to speak with my lawyer before answering questions."
• Right to not sign documents: Do not sign any documents without first consulting an attorney. Some documents ICE may ask you to sign could waive important legal rights.
• Right to record: In most states, you have the right to video or audio record your interaction with ICE officers, though laws vary by state regarding consent requirements for recording.

Who Is Most Affected

The expansion of sponsor home visits disproportionately affects certain communities:

Undocumented sponsors: Many sponsors of unaccompanied minors are themselves undocumented parents or relatives who came forward to care for a child. The use of sponsorship information for enforcement purposes discourages families from stepping forward to sponsor children, potentially leaving more minors in government custody for longer periods.

Mixed-status families: Families where some members are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents and others are undocumented are particularly vulnerable. A home visit targeting one individual can expose other household members to ICE attention.

Sponsors of asylum seekers: Individuals who posted bond for asylum seekers or who are listed as sponsors on immigration forms are also subject to visits, particularly if the sponsored individual has missed a court date or check-in.

The Chilling Effect on Child Welfare

Advocacy organizations including the Women's Refugee Commission and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) have warned that using sponsor information for enforcement purposes undermines the child welfare system. When potential sponsors fear that coming forward will expose them to ICE, more children remain in ORR shelters — overcrowded facilities that were never designed for long-term care.

The Flores Settlement Agreement requires the government to release unaccompanied minors to sponsors "without unnecessary delay." Advocates argue that an enforcement-oriented approach to sponsorship directly conflicts with this legal obligation and with the government's duty to act in the best interest of the child.

How to Prepare for a Potential Home Visit

If you are a sponsor or live in a household where a sponsor resides, immigration attorneys recommend the following preparation steps:

• Have an attorney on call: Identify an immigration attorney or legal aid organization you can contact immediately if ICE arrives. Keep their phone number accessible to all household members.
• Create a family safety plan: Discuss with your family what each person should do if ICE comes to the door. Designate one person to speak through the door while others remain inside.
• Know your rights card: Keep a "Know Your Rights" card near the front door. Several organizations provide printable cards in multiple languages. You can show this card through the door without opening it.
• Keep documents organized: Maintain copies of sponsorship documents, the minor's school enrollment records, medical records, and any correspondence from ORR or ICE in an organized file.
• Secure important documents: Keep passports, immigration documents, and birth certificates in a safe place. Consider giving copies to a trusted friend or attorney.
• Install a doorbell camera: A video doorbell can help you see who is at the door before opening it and can document any interaction.

Legal Challenges and Congressional Oversight

The use of ORR sponsor data for immigration enforcement has faced legal challenges. In previous litigation, federal courts have restricted the sharing of sponsor information between HHS and DHS for enforcement purposes. However, the scope and enforcement of these restrictions have varied across administrations.

Members of Congress have introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of ORR sponsor data for immigration enforcement and establish a firewall between child welfare and enforcement functions. As of April 2026, no such legislation has passed both chambers.

Immigration attorneys emphasize that any information provided during a home visit can be used in immigration proceedings. This includes statements made by the sponsor, observations made by officers inside the home, and identification information collected from household members.

What to Do After a Home Visit

If ICE has already visited your home, take the following steps:

• Document everything: Write down the date, time, names of officers (if provided), badge numbers, what was said, and what happened during the visit. Do this as soon as possible while details are fresh.
• Consult an attorney: Contact an immigration attorney immediately to discuss what happened and assess any legal exposure for you or your household members.
• Report the visit: Report the visit to a local immigrants' rights organization. They track patterns and may be able to provide legal support or connect you with pro bono attorneys.
• Do not ignore follow-up: If officers left a card or requested a follow-up visit, consult an attorney before responding or agreeing to another visit.

Last verified: April 2026 · Reviewed by USImmigrationLaw.Today editorial team.