The basis of the defendants’ claim that they have the right to take the plaintiffs out of the United States is that they are trying to bring the child plaintiffs back together with their parents in other countries. However, the lawyers involved could not find even one example where a parent worked with any government—either American or Guatemalan—to make this happen, wrote U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez.
She approved a temporary court order that stops the return or removal of any child plaintiff unless there is a valid voluntary departure or removal order from an immigration judge.
This decision creates a big obstacle for Trump’s plan, which some have called child trafficking.
Márquez said it was “dangerously unclear” whether the Trump administration would actually be able to reunite the children with their parents.
Considering how little this White House cares about migrants, it’s unlikely they would have even tried. More likely, the children would have been left in some unknown place with no support.
Márquez wrote that fifty families said they would accept their children if they were returned, but with the condition that none of them wanted their children to come back.
This shows they want to think first about whether the kids should stay in the U.S.
Another fifty-nine families were upset about being contacted and did not want to be evaluated for the possibility of taking in their children.
Right now, more than ever, the courts are the last line of defense for our democracy.
Without judges like Márquez, Trump would take advantage of innocent people at every chance, and the country would become the violent, racist nightmare he wants.
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