Judge Halts Deportation of Separated Families

Ruling Protects Asylum-Seeking Families Separated Under Trump’s Zero-Tolerance Policy

A federal judge in San Diego has blocked the deportation of numerous families seeking asylum, who were torn apart during the Trump administration. This significant legal development safeguards individuals embroiled in a settled lawsuit against the government. The ruling arrives as the U.S. grapples with the ongoing repercussions of its immigration policies.

Judge Sides with Separated Families

On Friday, a San Diego federal judge delivered a verdict preventing the deportation of thousands of families seeking asylum. These families were separated under the prior administration’s policies and are plaintiffs in a settled case. Lee Gelernt, an attorney with the ACLU representing these families, stated that the government has not given any details regarding the plaintiffs’ detention or removal from the U.S.

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Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that as of 2023, over 53,000 migrant children were unaccompanied minors apprehended at the U.S. border (Source). This underlines the continuing urgency surrounding family separation issues.

Historical Context

U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw previously found that the Trump administration had already breached the 2023 settlement conditions. Furthermore, more than a thousand children who had been separated from their parents under the so-called “zero tolerance” policy during Trump’s term are still not reunited with their families.

In a related instance, the ACLU confirmed that at least one child who was separated from their parents under the same policy had already been deported.

The ongoing legal battles continue to shape the discourse around immigration policy and family reunification efforts in the United States.