A federal judge temporarily blocked ICE from detaining unaccompanied immigrant minors in adult facilities after they turn 18, citing violations of a 2021 court order, amid ongoing debates over immigration policies and treatment of migrant children.
A federal court has temporarily blocked ICE from detaining unaccompanied minors once they turn 18, following concerns over policies that could lead to illegal detention and coercive deportation practices, especially in light of a controversial cash offer for voluntary departure. The ruling is a victory for immigration advocates who argued these policies violate legal protections and could cause minors with legitimate asylum claims to self-deport out of fear.
Federal authorities in Utah are targeting unaccompanied minors for deportation under a new initiative, prompting criticism from local immigration attorneys and advocates who argue that many of these children are fleeing harm and are not threats, raising concerns about coercion, due process, and child welfare.
The U.S. government plans to offer a $2,500 stipend to unaccompanied migrant teenagers who choose to voluntarily return to their home countries, as part of efforts to encourage self-deportation amidst stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration.
The U.S. ICE is reportedly targeting unaccompanied immigrant children, offering $2,500 to voluntarily deport themselves, a move linked to ongoing mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration, raising concerns among advocacy groups about coercion and the welfare of vulnerable minors.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting unaccompanied minors to Guatemala, criticizing the government's claims of family reunification as unsubstantiated and highlighting the rushed and unverified nature of the removals. The order prevents deportations of Guatemalan children without final removal orders or consent, amid concerns that children from other countries may also be targeted.
A U.S. federal judge blocked the deportation of Guatemalan children, criticizing the Trump administration's justification as unfounded, highlighting the lack of evidence that parents wanted their children returned, and emphasizing the legal protections for unaccompanied minors in the U.S.
Guatemalan officials proposed to the U.S. that unaccompanied Guatemalan minors be returned home to prevent detention and support family reunification, amid legal and diplomatic tensions over the handling of these minors' asylum claims. The U.S. temporarily halted the deportations following a court order, while Guatemala emphasizes its efforts to assist in social reintegration, though some legal groups criticize the deportation process as violating rights.
The article highlights the plight of Sudanese refugees, focusing on vulnerable groups like unaccompanied minors and women who have suffered sexual violence. Mahamat Djouma, a 14-year-old refugee in Chad, cares for his younger brothers amid dire conditions, while Entesar, a 21-year-old woman, recounts her harrowing experience of rape by soldiers. The ongoing civil war in Sudan has displaced millions, creating a humanitarian crisis with insufficient aid and support for those affected.
South African border officials intercepted over 400 unaccompanied children from Zimbabwe, suspecting trafficking, but an organization representing foreign nationals in South Africa suggests they were likely visiting their parents for the end-of-year holidays. The buses were sent back to Zimbabwe. Over a million Zimbabweans live in South Africa, many illegally, due to economic turmoil in their home country. South Africa recently launched a new border force to combat illegal immigration.
A mother is suing American Airlines after her two children were left overnight in a "jail-like room" at Charlotte Douglas Airport when their connecting flight was canceled. The children were part of American Airlines' Unaccompanied Minor Service, and the mother claims that the airline misplaced her children and failed to provide proper communication. American Airlines has offered a $150 refund and stated that they are reviewing the details of the lawsuit.
The Biden administration plans to repurpose a former boarding school in North Carolina to house up to 800 unaccompanied migrant children who entered U.S. border custody without their parents or legal guardians. The facility, set to open in August, will become the government's largest active housing facility for unaccompanied minors. Advocates have criticized the use of influx care facilities, which are not regulated by state child welfare agencies. The facility in Greensboro, however, offers educational instruction, recreation, mental health support, and medical services. The number of unaccompanied minors crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has declined, and HHS is currently housing just over 5,800 migrant children, the lowest level during the Biden administration.
A 6-year-old Afghan boy, who was evacuated from Afghanistan and arrived in the US without his parents, died on June 13 while in federal government custody due to a terminal illness. He was one of hundreds of Afghan children who arrived in the US in 2021 without their parents after being evacuated from Afghanistan. The children were placed in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. This marks the third death of an unaccompanied child in HHS custody this year.
An unaccompanied 17-year-old migrant from Honduras died in a shelter in Florida on Wednesday, as the US lifted immigration restrictions stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic. The cause of death is still being investigated. The news arrived a day after the US ended Title 42 restrictions, which blocked the right of many migrants to claim asylum at the US-Mexico border citing health concerns related to Covid-19. The Biden administration has replaced Title 42 restrictions with new measures aimed at preventing and deterring people from entering the border illegally.