Emergency court order halts removal plan
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., issued an urgent injunction on Sunday stopping the Trump administration from deporting a group of Guatemalan children. The ruling came after attorneys warned that planned flights to return minors to their home country were unlawful.
Ten children targeted, order applies to all in custody
The legal challenge centers on 10 unaccompanied children, aged 10 to 17, who lawyers said were scheduled for immediate deportation late Saturday. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan blocked their removal for 14 days and instructed that the children remain in facilities managed by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). She emphasized that her ruling encompasses all Guatemalan minors held by federal authorities, not only the named plaintiffs.
Conflicting explanations from government and advocates
Government lawyers argued the children were being sent home to parents or guardians rather than deported. Attorneys representing the minors disagreed, stating that many families had not requested their return. The judge noted the conflicting versions and said the government’s account did not match the evidence presented by advocates.
Legal resistance spreads as deportation flights appear imminent
Additional lawsuits have been filed in Arizona and Illinois, highlighting a growing national pushback against the administration’s efforts. Meanwhile, in Harlingen, Texas, airport activity indicated that flights were being readied: buses carrying migrants moved onto the tarmac, reporters were kept behind security, and planes were prepared for departure as the Washington court issued its ruling.
