ICE Contracts Firm Accused of 'Torture' to Track Undocumented Children
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has contracted MVM Inc, a private security firm previously accused of 'torture' and 'enforced disappearance', to assist in locating undocumented immigrant children in the US. This move is part of ICE's initiative to conduct 'safety and wellness checks' on minors who entered the US alone and were released into communities while awaiting immigration court proceedings. The contract, awarded in mid-April, involves MVM using its resources to physically locate and verify the welfare of these children. Critics argue that ICE's operations, which include potential deportation or criminal charges against the children or their sponsors, resemble 'backdoor family separation'. MVM, a long-time government contractor, has faced allegations of abuse in previous immigration-related work, including during the family separation crisis under the Trump administration.