In brief
In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez granted a preliminary injunction to protect more than 69 children from immediate deportation. The judge highlighted the absence of coordination between the U.S. government and parents in Guatemala or Honduras regarding the children's reunification. This ruling builds upon a temporary restraining order issued earlier and emphasizes the children's right to legal representation and fair processing of their cases.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge in Arizona on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from immediately deporting dozens of Guatemalan and Honduran children who came to the U.S. alone.
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez in Tucson granted a preliminary injunction, citing concerns about the steps the government had taken to prepare to deport the children.
“The foundation of Defendants’ argument for their authority to transport Plaintiffs out of the United States is that Defendants are reuniting Plaintiff Children with parents abroad, but counsel could not identify a single instance of coordination between a parent and any government—American or Guatemalan,” she wrote.
The ruling extends the protection for the children living in shelters or foster care after Márquez issued a temporary restraining order over Labor Day weekend. The order was meant to keep the children from being removed until at least September 26.
The lawsuit was filed by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project on behalf of 57 Guatemalan children and another 12 from Honduras between the ages of 3 and 17.
The lawsuit seeks to provide the children an opportunity to present their cases and ensures access to legal counsel, advocating for their placement in the least restrictive environments suited to their best interests.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, the Trump administration defended its actions as attempts to reunite children with their families, claiming this approach is in the best interest of the kids and aligns with the wishes of the Guatemalan government.
Recent notifications to shelters indicated plans for quick deportations, prompting significant backlash and prompting legal actions to protect the rights of these children.
