October '25 vs. October '24
With our focus on the children and their escape from harm related to abandonment and exploitation, we maintain a keen awareness of month-to-month trends in ORR data for the processing of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). This article, in particular, compares the year-over-year data from October '25 with October '24 to highlight the significant statistical shifts related to BOTH the influx rate of UAC and their rate of release to sponsors within the U.S.
PHIGS considers the reduction in influx rate and the evident increase in vetting of UAC sponsors a welcomed development as it pertains to the safety and well-being of these most vulnerable survivors. We are also aware that, as telling as the ORR data may be, it ONLY reports on UAC actually processed each month. We must bear in mind that some unknown percentage of children remain to be discovered only after being trafficked or abandoned without initial processing by ORR upon entry.
It is our conviction that none of these children, processed or not; documented or not, care about political agendas or think-tank policies. Our mandate for action on behalf of the youngest of these survivors transcends current politics just as much as Christ's mission of compassion transcends the same to always include the "least of these" (Matt. 25:40). What follows are 2 important observations, related to the last 12 months of UAC processing based on ORR data current as of November 17, 2025.
Observation #1: Influx of "foundlings" has slowed by almost 60%
PHIGS is specifically focused on understanding the needs and providing trauma-informed care for the youngest female survivors of abandonment and gender-based exploitation. For the month ending October 31, 2025 the influx of these "foundlings" was down by almost 60% from October 31, 2025 in keeping with the overall trend for all ages (0-17+) tracked by ORR ("Foundlings" is a term used by some field personnel to describe the youngest of UAC encountered in the work of immigrant processing). In the table below, the highlighted data is what PHIGS monitors pertaining to the demographic of UAC we exist to serve. However, every UAC group's data is included to foster a general awareness and overall concern in the hearts and minds of our readers. Hopefully, such awareness inspires transformative action beyond PHIGS so that positive pathways can be established from "harm to wholeness" for every child.
Observation #2: Vetting for sponsorship has intensified significantly
While the overall influx of foundlings has decreased significantly, so has the release rate of Category 1-3 sponsorship placements. This has lead to a retention rate or potential Category 4 (no sponsor identified) designations to increase significantly. For our unofficial monitoring purposes, PHIGS estimates a 30% year-over-year increase in girls aged 0-5 yrs awaiting sponsorship due to intensified vetting of applicants. Again, from PHIGS' point of view, this a welcomed development as it pertains to the safe & permanent placement of UAC with thoroughly vetted sponsors. However, it also serves to highlight the increased likelihood that some number of very young girls will not be matched as Category 1-3 placements. That's where PHIGS is specifically positioned to fulfill our mission: "Each girl, from harm to wholeness."
UAC Data: October '25 vs. October '24
ORR has grouped unaccompanied alien children (UAC) cases into the following categories:
- Category 1: Parent or legal guardian. This includes qualifying step-parents that have legal or joint custody of the child or teen.
- Category 2A: A brother; sister; grandparent or other immediate relatives (e.g., aunt, uncle, first cousin) who previously served as the child’s primary caregiver. This includes biological relatives, relatives through legal marriage, and half-siblings.
- Category 2B: An immediate relative (e.g., aunt, uncle, first cousin) who was not previously the child’s primary caregiver. This includes biological relatives, relatives through legal marriage.
- Category 3: Other sponsor, such as distant relatives and unrelated adult individuals
- Category 4: No sponsor identified
SOURCE: https://acf.gov/orr/policy-guidance/unaccompanied-children-program-policy-guide-section-2#2.2.1
