Rights of Children Potentially Subject to the Laken Riley Act
Frequently Asked Questions

Child at chain-link fence

The Laken Riley Act (LRA), signed into law on January 29, 2025, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by expanding mandatory immigration detention to include individuals who are arrested for, charged with, convicted of, or admit to committing specified crimes. This guide addresses questions that are likely to arise if the LRA is enforced against children under the age of 18, including the following:

  • Do admissions or alleged acts by children trigger mandatory detention under the Laken Riley Act?
  • If a child is detained in ICE custody under the LRA, which provisions of the Flores Settlement Agreement would apply?
  • What are the rights of unaccompanied children (UCs) allegedly subject to the Laken Riley Act?
  • Who qualifies as an unaccompanied child?

For more information, or to speak to one of the FAQ’s authors, please email immigration@youthlaw.org.  

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Read the full guide: Rights of Children Potentially Subject to the Laken Riley Act