The majority of migrant children arriving in the United States from Central America have been released to sponsors in states with large established Central American populations. This is because the children are released typically to a parent or relative, according to federal data cited by The New York Times.

The children remain in shelters run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) until a parent, relative, or other sponsor is found to care for them while their immigration case is processed. If it is impossible for a sponsor to be found, the child will likely remain in the shelter until the child either requests voluntary departure when he goes before the immigration judge, a judge orders the deportation of the child and the Department of Homeland Security deports them, the child turns 18 when DHS gains custody of them, or legal relief is granted by an immigration judge.

According to ORR data, A total of 30,340 children have been released to sponsors from Jan. 1, 2014 to Jul. 7, 2014. The most children that have been released to a given state is Texas at 4,280 children. New York is second with 3, 347, Florida third with 3,181 and California fourth with 3,150.

The ORR has not released the number of children still being cared for in shelters.

The ORR states, “Ensuring that a potential sponsor can safely and appropriately care for the child is a top priority.” Before a child is released, a background check, including verifying the sponsor’s identity and relationship to the child, is conducted, and a home study is done if there is any additional concern raised.

There has been much outrage toward the ORR from local governments because their citizens feel their tax dollars are being wasted because the children came here illegally, or that the children might have diseases; however, others are glad the children are being cared for, The New York Times reports.