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WASHINGTON,D.C. – A legal aid group is suing to stop the U.S. government from deporting a dozen Honduran children.The Florence Immigrant & refugee Rights Project, based in Arizona, claims it has “credible” information that such plans are underway.
A legal aid group is racing to prevent the U.S. government from deporting Honduran children.
The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP) has added Honduran children to an existing lawsuit that temporarily halted the deportation of dozens of Guatemalan children.
On Friday, FIRRP amended its lawsuit, originally filed last weekend, to include the 12 Honduran children. This legal action stems from reports that the U.S. government plans to “imminently move forward with a plan to illegally remove Honduran children in government custody as soon as this weekend.” FIRRP asserts this would violate their right to seek protection in the U.S.
The association stated the potential deportations are happening despite ongoing litigation that blocked similar actions for Guatemalan children. FIRRP did not immediately share details of the information it received about the Honduran children’s potential deportation. The amendment to the lawsuit is sealed in federal court.
Meanwhile, the Justice Department released a detailed account Saturday of a chaotic Labor Day weekend. This involved attempted deportations of 76 Guatemalan children. The timeline was part of a request to lift a temporary hold on their removal.
The Trump administration sought to deport Guatemalan children who arrived in the U.S. alone adn where living in shelters or foster care. advocates filed lawsuits nationwide, leading a federal judge to order Sunday that the children remain in the U.S. for at least two weeks.
According to Saturday’s filing, 457 Guatemalan children were initially identified for possible deportation.They had to have parents or legal guardians in Guatemala.
Justice Department lawyers noted federal law permits the Department of Health and Human Services to “repatriate” or “reunite” children by removing them from the U.S. This is permissible if the child has not been a victim of severe human trafficking, is not at risk of becoming one upon return, and dose not face a “credible fear” of persecution. Children with pending asylum claims cannot be repatriated.
The amended FIRRP lawsuit includes 12 Honduran children who have stated they do not wish to return. it also adds four Guatemalan children who have entered government custody in Arizona as the suit’s initial filing last week. Some children have parents already residing in the United States.
The lawsuit seeks to ensure the children have their legal right to present their cases to an immigration judge, access to legal counsel, and placement in the least restrictive setting in their best interest.
Honduras
