NEW: An unaccompanied minor held in an NYC shelter was set to be reunited with his sponsor in March, but was halted by the federal government, which issued a policy barring children in NY from release. He turns 18 tomorrow; when kids turn 18 they& #39;re transferred to ICE detention.

We obtained the policy sent by field specialist Gabriela Pragman 12 days ago telling NY providers that they couldn& #39;t release any children. Includes children who& #39;d been medically cleared as well as children who are about to age out into ICE custody. https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6818944-Pragman-Email-3-25-20.html">https://www.documentcloud.org/documents...

This child, originally from Guatamala, was all set to go but remained detained by the federal government, which wouldn& #39;t release him to his family but was making plans to release him to ICE. Oh, and he& #39;s in @AOC& #39;s district; I contacted her office about this but never heard back.

I can confirm today that, after going back and forth with the federal refugee agency about this last week, he& #39;s been released to his family today. I& #39;m not sure what would have happened had I not found out about this case and started asking questions.

The federal refugee agency, ORR, has also told providers in New York that they can resume family reunifications. The child I& #39;m tweeting about wasn& #39;t the only one released today. This marks a big shift in policy and practice during the Coronavirus pandemic.

To be clear, taking a child into ICE custody on the morning he turns 18 constitutes ICE enforcement. Would be interested to hear what New York officials and politicians like @AOC have to say about this, happening to the youngest of their constituents living in the Bronx.