ICE awards MVM contract for unaccompanied migrant children wellness checks
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 2
ICE awards MVM contract for unaccompanied migrant children wellness checks
6 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 2
The one-year deal was issued in mid-April after 18 companies bid, with ICE saying MVM alone had the personnel and infrastructure to physically locate children.
DHS says MVM has no immigration enforcement powers and the checks verify location, school enrolment and signs of abuse or trafficking, but advocates say the programme enables arrests, deportations and family separation.
MVM, a Virginia security contractor with about 2,500 employees, is being sued over alleged abuses tied to the first Trump administration's family separation policy; some claims were dismissed in 2025 but core allegations remain.
With a firm accused of torture now tracking migrant children, who is ensuring these 'wellness checks' are actually safe?
As government oversight vanishes, who holds private contractors accountable for the treatment of thousands of immigrant children?
When immigration enforcement enters schools for 'wellness checks,' are these locations still safe havens for learning?
$113 Million ICE Contract with MVM for Child Safety Checks Sparks Controversy Over Past Allegations and Enforcement Risks
Overview
In April 2026, ICE awarded a $113 million contract to MVM Inc. to conduct nationwide in-person wellness checks on unaccompanied migrant children, verifying their location, school enrollment, and well-being through real-time reporting. Despite ICE's assurance that MVM has no enforcement authority, the company's controversial past—including allegations of torture and enforced disappearances during family separations—has sparked strong criticism. Advocates warn that lack of transparency and ICE's enforcement role create risks of data misuse, causing fear among sponsors that may lead them to avoid help or flee, ultimately putting children at greater risk. Oversight gaps and limited public resistance highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring accountability and protecting vulnerable children.