Fact Sheets
- ORR Influx Care Facilities for Unaccompanied Children Fact Sheet
- Unaccompanied Children Bureau Fact Sheet
General Statistics
Data provided by fiscal year (October 1 — September 30)
Age | Country of Origin | Primary Language | Gender | Home Studies and Post-Release Services | Length of Care | Referrals | Release to Sponsors
Age
Age breakdown of unaccompanied children by fiscal year (October 1 — September 30)
| Age | FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020 | FY2019 | FY2018 | FY2017 | FY2016 | FY2015 | FY2014 | FY2013 | FY2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-12 | 24% | 19% | 15% | 16% | 16% | 16% | 15% | 17% | 18% | 17% | 21% | 14% | 11% |
| 13-14 | 12% | 12% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 13% | 14% | 14% | 16% | 13% | 11% |
| 15-16 | 31% | 34% | 36% | 39% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 37% | 38% | 36% | 40% | 39% |
| 17+* | 33% | 35% | 36% | 33% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 32% | 31% | 30% | 27% | 34% | 38% |
*Includes UC who were identified as 18 years old after ORR’s initial evaluation (0.13%).
Country of Origin
Primary countries of origin of youth in the Unaccompanied Children Bureau in FY2024.
| Country of Origin | FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020 | FY2019 | FY2018 | FY2017 | FY2016 | FY2015 | FY2014 | FY2013 | FY2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honduras | 20% | 28% | 29% | 32% | 25% | 30% | 26% | 23% | 21% | 17% | 34% | 30% | 27% |
| Guatemala | 32% | 42% | 47% | 47% | 48% | 45% | 54% | 45% | 40% | 45% | 32% | 37% | 34% |
| El Salvador | 8% | 9% | 13% | 13% | 14% | 18% | 12% | 27% | 34% | 29% | 29% | 26% | 27% |
| Mexico | 20% | 8% | 3% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 3% | <3% | 3% | 6% | <2% | 3% | 8% |
| All other countries | 13% | 13% | 8% | 7% | 8% | 5% | <5% | 3% | 2% | 3% | <3% | 5% | 4% |
Primary Language
This table shows the five predominant languages spoken by unaccompanied children in ORR’s care by fiscal year.
| Language | FY2024 |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 88,291 (87.95%) |
| Haitian Creole | 3,259 (3.25%) |
| Q'eqchi' | 1,475 (1.47%) |
| Mam | 966 (0.96%) |
| French | 922 (0.92%) |
Gender
| Year | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| FY2024 | 61% | 38% |
| FY2023 | 61% | 39% |
| FY2022 | 64% | 36% |
| FY2021 | 66% | 34% |
| FY2020 | 68% | 32% |
| FY2019 | 66% | 34% |
| FY2018 | 71% | 29% |
| FY2017 | 68% | 32% |
| FY2016 | 67% | 33% |
| FY2015 | 68% | 32% |
| FY2014 | 66% | 34% |
| FY2013 | 73% | 27% |
| FY2012 | 77% | 23% |
Home Studies and Post-Release Services
Number of home studies conducted by ORR and number of unaccompanied children served by post-release services (PRS).
| Year | Home Studies | UC served by PRS |
|---|---|---|
| FY2022 | 8,619 | 55,960 |
| FY2021 | 5,468 | 21,894 |
| FY2020 | 1,913 | 15,160 |
| FY2019 | 4,875 | 14,518 |
| FY2018 | 3,641 | 14,088 |
| FY2017 | 3,173 | 13,381 |
| FY2016 | 3,540 | 10,546 |
| FY2015 | 1,895 | 8,618 |
Length of Care
The average length of time an unaccompanied child remained in ORR care in FY2024 was 30 days.
| FY2024 | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | FY2020 | FY2019 | FY2018 | FY2017 | FY2016 | FY2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 27 | 29 | 33 | 69 | 61 | 64 | 51 | 40 | 38 |
Note: The Length of Care data have been revised as of 01/08/24 to present an annual average.
Referrals
This reflects the number of referrals ORR receives from the Department of Homeland Security each fiscal year. Read more about referrals to ORR and initial placement.
| Year | Referrals |
|---|---|
| FY2024 | 98,356 |
| FY2023 | 118,938 |
| FY2022 | 128,904 |
| FY2021 | 122,731 |
| FY2020 | 15,381 |
| FY2019 | 69,488 |
| FY2018 | 49,100 |
| FY2017 | 40,810 |
| FY2016 | 59,170 |
| FY2015 | 33, 726 |
| FY2014 | 57, 496 |
| FY2013 | 24, 668 |
| FY2012 | 13, 625 |
Release to Sponsors
View the number of unaccompanied children released to sponsors by state and by county.