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Office of Refugee Resettlement

An Office of the Administration for Children & Families

Who We Serve - Unaccompanied Children

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Publication Date: October 2, 2012

Current as of: March 26, 2021

Services are provided for unaccompanied children who are in Federal custody because of their immigration status.

Definition

An unaccompanied child (UC) is one who has no lawful immigration status in the United States; has not attained 18 years of age, and with respect to whom; 1) there is no parent or legal guardian in the United States; or 2) no parent of legal guardian in the United States is available to provide care and physical custody.