TUCSON, Ariz. — In a significant decision for the rights and safety of vulnerable populations, a federal judge in Arizona has placed a temporary block on the Trump administration's efforts to deport unaccompanied minors from Guatemala and Honduras. This legal action emphasizes the pressing need to assess the well-being of these children who have entered the United States seeking refuge.
U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez announced that her ruling extends a temporary restraining order previously set in place, now lasting until at least September 26. Judge Márquez expressed deep concern regarding the lack of coordination with the children’s parents or guardians in their native countries, raising alarms over their potential safety should they be deported.
Laura Belous, an attorney for the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, which advocates for these children, testified that many minors have openly stated their fears about returning to Guatemala or Honduras. They fear neglect and possible trafficking, given the hardships they have already faced.
Lawyers argue that the government is failing to adhere to protective laws designed to safeguard migrant children. A lawsuit initiated on behalf of 69 minors—57 from Guatemala and 12 from Honduras—highlights the children’s right to present their cases before an immigration judge and have legal representation.
Denise Ann Faulk, an aide to the U.S. attorney, defended the administration’s actions as efforts to reunite children with families based on diplomatic negotiations. However, nearly all of these children are currently located in the custody of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, specifically within its Office of Refugee Resettlement.
According to data, many of these unaccompanied children began arriving in the U.S. alone in large numbers starting in 2014, with a peak occurring recently in the 2022 fiscal year, as concerns over their treatment and deportation continue to grow. Amid ongoing discussions and various lawsuits filed in different jurisdictions, the Arizona court's ruling represents a critical step in ensuring the rights and safety of these vulnerable children.
Judge Márquez characterized the government's approach to expedited deportation as one that potentially sacrifices thorough judicial review, which is essential in assessing the child's individual circumstances. Her observations during the court proceedings have called into question whether these children are being treated with the necessary levels of care and legal protections.
