According to a report released in October by the U.S. Accountability Office, federal agencies have been in a state of chaos and confusion due to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. These policies have had a major impact on immigrants coming through Texas and other border states. Officials from Homeland Security and Health and Human Services said that they did not plan for the influx of kids being separated from their parents. A different report from the DHS came up with similar results.

The confusion regarding immigration policy began when a Justice Department memo called for a zero-tolerance policy against all individuals caught crossing the border without documentation. The children of parents who were detained were either put into foster care, placed with a sponsor, or detained in a shelter. The policy caused a tremendous amount of controversy throughout the summer.

The GAO report showed that one factor leading to chaos and confusion was the lack of preparation among federal agencies. Lack of communication between departments led to children being lost within the system and parents wondering where their children were when it was time for phone calls or messages. When orders were made to reunify parents with their kids, parents were often sent to the wrong locations or given false information.

Individuals and families affected by recent changes to immigration law may benefit from legal representation. An attorney representing an adult or child can carefully examine the situation and find out what legal remedies are available. The U.S. government is a powerful entity, and it’s the responsibility of the attorney to be an advocate for their client every step of the way.