Judge intervenes following urgent legal filings
A Washington, D.C., federal judge on Sunday issued an emergency injunction halting the Trump administration’s plan to deport Guatemalan children. The order came after lawyers argued that the planned removals were being carried out unlawfully and without proper legal oversight.
Ten children cited, protection applies to all in custody
The case involves 10 unaccompanied minors between the ages of 10 and 17, who attorneys said were hours from being flown back to Guatemala late Saturday night. Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan blocked the deportations for 14 days and ordered that the children remain in facilities run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). She made clear that the ruling applies to all Guatemalan children in federal custody, not just those named in the lawsuit.
Dispute over reunification claims
Government lawyers maintained that the children were being returned to parents or guardians rather than deported. Advocates for the minors disputed this, stating that many families had not requested their return. The judge noted the conflicting accounts and remarked that the government’s explanation did not match the evidence provided by the children’s attorneys.
Legal challenges spread and airport activity signals flights
Parallel lawsuits have also been filed in Arizona and Illinois, reflecting growing nationwide opposition to the administration’s deportation efforts. At a border airport in Harlingen, Texas, activity suggested flights were being prepared: buses carrying migrants arrived on the tarmac, security personnel restricted reporters, and planes were readied as crews conducted final checks while the Washington ruling was issued.
