The Trump administration has operated “tender age” shelters for migrant babies and toddlers, a practice that began as part of the administration’s 2018 “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
These shelters were established to house very young children—some as young as infants—who were forcibly separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border or arrived unaccompanied.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Shelter Locations | Three main in South Texas (Combes, Raymondville, Brownsville), with plans for Houston[2][3] |
| Ages | Primarily infants and children under 5; up to 13 included in practice[3] |
| Numbers Detained | 2,300+ separated in 2018; hundreds per month in shelters 2024–25[5][1] |
| Health Concerns | Depression, anxiety, PTSD, brain development risks, inadequate health care[13][6][11] |
| Misconduct | Staff sexual misconduct, neglect, lack of accountability, distressing conditions[7][8][9] |
The practice of operating “tender age” shelters has drawn sustained criticism from child welfare experts, pediatricians, and human rights advocates, especially given the evidence of psychological and developmental harm experienced by children subjected to institutional care and family separation.[11][6][13]