Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Guatemalan Children

A federal judge has intervened to prevent the Trump administration from deporting numerous unaccompanied children from Guatemala back to their homeland. This decision came on Sunday, as reported by CBS News.

US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order, halting the deportation of Guatemalan minors who did not have formal deportation orders. This ruling followed legal challenges, with attorneys arguing that there was an unlawful attempt to bypass legislative protections designed for immigrant minors.

During the hearing, Judge Sooknanan became concerned after discovering that the children were already aboard a plane. Although Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign indicated that the plane was set for departure, it was noted that everyone remained on US soil. One flight that had already taken off returned, and the child in question was removed from the aircraft and placed back in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services.

The administration contended that the deportation was a request from the Guatemalan government and relatives for a family reunion, labeling it “repatriation” rather than a formal deportation. Ensign claimed that HHS was authorized to reunite unaccompanied children with parents living abroad when deemed appropriate.

However, attorneys representing the children challenged this narrative. Neha Desai from the National Youth Law Centre described the situation as both illegal and deeply inhumane.

According to CBS News, the Human Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act mandates that unaccompanied minors from countries outside of Mexico must meet with immigration judges and seek legal protection prior to any deportation. Judge Sooknanan characterized her ruling as “extraordinary,” justifying it by referring to the government’s attempts to expedite these removals during holiday weekends.