TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge in Arizona has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting dozens of unaccompanied minors from Guatemala and Honduras who are currently living in shelters or foster care in the U.S. This decision was made on Thursday and will remain in effect until at least September 26.
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez expressed her concerns about whether the government had made adequate arrangements for the children to be reunited with their parents or legal guardians back in Guatemala. It is frightening that U.S. officials may not have coordinated with the children’s parents, said Judge Márquez.
Laura Belous, an attorney representing these minors through the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, argued in court that the children had voiced no desire to be sent back to their countries due to risks of neglect, child trafficking, and serious medical issues they might face upon return.
Legal representatives indicated that their clients are fearful of returning home, highlighting that the government is potentially violating laws meant to protect migrant children. A lawsuit was filed in Arizona representing 57 children from Guatemala and 12 from Honduras, aged between 3 and 17 years.
Denise Ann Faulk, a U.S. attorney during the Trump administration, justified the repatriations as family reunifications, claiming high-level diplomatic negotiations were in place. However, concerns were raised about the children's rights to legal counsel and fair hearings.
The current lawsuit in Arizona seeks to ensure that these children can present their cases before an immigration judge and receive legal assistance while avoiding unnecessarily harsh conditions. The Office of Refugee Resettlement's approach to managing these cases has been criticized for lacking compassion and essential procedural safeguards, often notifying legal representatives with little warning, often late at night.
The ruling emphasizes the importance of individual assessments of the children's situations rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to repatriation. Judge Márquez criticized the Office of Refugee Resettlement for taking such significant actions without comprehensive reviews. The court's concerns extend to potential violations of established immigration laws protecting minors, thus reinforcing their right to a fair immigration process.
The ongoing legal situation represents a broader issue related to the treatment and protection of unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S. border, particularly in light of policies enacted under the previous administration.
