English
EspanolThe federal District Court in Washington D.C. has temporarily blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to deport as many as 50 Guatemalan children back to Guatemala. Lawyers for the United States government claimed they were simply attempting to reunite children with their families, but lawyers for the children said this was not true, with many of the children facing dangerous circumstances if they return. These deportations are now on hold while the legal fight plays out in the courts.
Deportation Flights Blocked By Federal Judge
Two flights carrying Guatemalan children were set to leave from Harlingen and El Paso, TX, early in the morning of Sunday, August 31. However, lawyers for the National Immigration Law Center, who were representing the children, were able to stop the flights from leaving the country by seeking emergency relief from the DC District Court. The judge also forbade the government from deporting any of the children on these flights for at least two weeks, while legal issues related to the deportations are resolved.
Lawyers for Children Dispute Government Claims
When asked to justify the deportations, lawyers representing the Department of Homeland Security claimed that the children on board the flights were going to be reunited with family members awaiting them back in Guatemala. However, lawyers representing the children say that these claims are not true, with many of the children having no family or guardian to return to in their country of origin. This means they would have been sent back to Guatemala with no guarantee that there would be anyone willing or able to care for them when they got there.
The Risk of Harm to the Guatemalan Children
All of these children are currently in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, meaning they are either being cared for in a government facility or a foster home, due to having no adult family in the United States. Many of them fled Guatemala due to having difficult or dangerous situations back home, and if they are sent back, many would face abuse, neglect, or violence. Moreover, because they are unaccompanied children, many could face additional risks, such as the danger of being victimized by human traffickers and other criminals.
The Case Moving Forward
The case will almost certainly be appealed to the DC Circuit Court, as it seems clear that the current Administration is eager to hasten these removal proceedings, among others. In the meantime, the lawyers representing the children will continue to fight for their right to remain in the country.
Upholding the Rights of Immigrants in Federal Court
Unfortunately, this is not the only recent case of the federal government attempting to violate the rights of immigrants in the United States. In a recent case decided by the Ninth Circuit, it was found that an attempt by the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, to terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) of 600,000 Venezuelans living in the US was illegal. This will allow them to continue to remain in the US, avoiding the potential violence and hardship they might face if they were forced back to their country of origin.
If you find yourself facing removal due to alleged immigration violations, you should make sure to contact a lawyer with experience handling immigration law matters. They can fight for your rights, and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your circumstances.
For more than 40 years, the Drucker Law Firm has been providing personal and quality legal services to individuals, universities, and corporations throughout the New York City and Tri-State area. We have represented three generations of clients in immigration, personal injury, and general litigation matters. Please give us a call at (718) 458-1489 to schedule a consultation or visit our contact page.
