UPDATE: A US federal judge has just issued a restraining order halting the deportation of unaccompanied migrant children to Guatemala. The ruling comes as deportations appeared imminent, following a legal challenge from the National Immigration Law Centre (NILC) on behalf of 10 children aged 10 to 17.
This urgent decision, announced earlier today by District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, temporarily blocks the deportations for a period of 14 days. Judge Sooknanan has called for an immediate hearing, indicating that the children were potentially in the final stages of removal from the United States.
The Trump administration had planned to initiate deportations this weekend as part of an agreement with Guatemala, which would permit the return of unaccompanied minors to their home country. This controversial policy has raised significant concerns, as it may subject these vulnerable children to potential abuse and neglect.
The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond immediately to requests for comments regarding the ruling. However, previous communications from the Office of Refugee Resettlement indicated that Guatemalan children in federal custody were to be held, with exceptions only for those sponsored by parents or legal guardians in the US.
In a legal complaint filed earlier this week, NILC and the Young Centre for Immigrant Children’s Rights argued that the deportations would violate the protections outlined by Congress for unaccompanied children. They emphasized that the children could face risks of abuse, persecution, or even torture if returned to Guatemala under the current administration’s policies.
Judge Sooknanan’s ruling extends beyond the 10 plaintiffs to cover all Guatemalan children currently in the care of the Health and Human Services Department. It is estimated that hundreds of minors could be impacted by this emergency order, as they await placement in safe environments, which federal law mandates.
As the situation develops, authorities and advocates are closely monitoring the outcome of the upcoming hearing. The potential implications of this ruling could reshape the future of unaccompanied minors seeking safety in the United States.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and its impact on migrant children.
