'Wrong!' DHS scrambles to deny operation 'Freaky Friday' targeting migrant children

The Department of Homeland Security sounded off on social media Friday to deny an allegation that it had launched a new operation targeting migrant children with threats of deportation.

Charles Kuck, an immigration attorney and adjunct professor at University of Georgia, alleged in a social media post Friday morning that Immigration Customs and Enforcement was poised to launch a new operation known internally as “Freaky Friday,” which would see the agency target unaccompanied migrant children with threats of deportation toward them and their families.

The operation, Kuck alleged, would see all migrant children that had been detained and released by ICE sent a letter demanding they withdraw all applications for deportation relief, and under threat of “indefinite detention” for them and their family members. The operation was spearheaded, Kuck alleged, by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

“There is a darkness and evil that is taking over ICE, led by the dark lord Miller,” Kuck wrote. “ICE is launching a nationwide operation today, Friday [Oct. 3], reportedly named ‘Freaky Friday’ that will target unaccompanied children aged 14 and older of all nationalities… Children will be offered $2,500 to return to their countries of origin.”

Just hours later, DHS would fire back at Kuck, declaring “CHUCK KUCK IS WRONG!” in a social media post on X.

“The anti-ICE activists have made up a ridiculous term, ‘Freaky Friday,’ to instill fear and spread misinformation that drives the increased violence occurring against federal law enforcement,” reads the statement from the DHS shared on social media.

“Cartels trafficked countless unaccompanied children into the United States during the Biden Administration, and DHS and [Health and Human Services] have been working diligently to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those children.”

However, DHS admitted in its statement that the agency was, in fact, offering payments for unaccompanied migrant children in the event they returned home, but described it as a "voluntary option.”

“ICE and the Office of Refugee and Resettlement at HHS are offering a strictly voluntary option to return home to their families,” the statement from DHS reads.

“This voluntary option gives [unaccompanied Alien Children] a choice and allows them to make an informed decision about their future. Any payment to support a return home would be provided after an immigration judge grants the request and the individual arrives in their country of origin. Access to financial support when returning home would assist should they choose that option.”