Children on Guatemalan planes remain in United States temporarily, ruled by judge despite being stationed on the tarmac

In a recent development, a federal judge has temporarily blocked flights carrying Guatemalan children from the U.S. border, halting the planned deportation of nearly 700 unaccompanied minors. This decision comes after concerns were raised by Guatemala's government and advocates about the children's safety and constitutional rights.

The government had planes on the ground in Harlingen and El Paso, Texas, ready to depart with the children. However, the flights were halted following a court ruling by Judge Sooknanan. This initiative to deport was from the U.S. government under the Trump administration, with former advisor Stephen Miller defending it as an act of "humanitarian family reunification."

Many of those from Guatemala request asylum or pursue other legal avenues to stay in the U.S. One 16-year-old, who left the country two years ago at age 15, recalled experiencing threats against their life in Guatemala and believes they will be in danger if sent back. Another child, a 10-year-old, stated in a court filing that they don't have family in Guatemala that can take good care of them.

Advocates began getting word that their young clients' immigration court hearings were being canceled. The National Immigration Law Center, which represents the children, stated that the idea of waking up vulnerable children in the dead of night and putting them on a plane irrespective of constitutional protections is shocking.

Similar legal actions were filed elsewhere, such as in Arizona. One girl, an honors student living in a New York shelter, said in a court filing that she's deeply afraid of being deported. The agents asked the children about their relatives in Guatemala.

Guatemala's government proposed the transfer of the minors to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during her visit to the country in July. The Trump administration is planning to remove nearly 700 Guatemalan children who came to the U.S. unaccompanied. Migrant children who arrive in the U.S. without their parents or guardians are often handed over to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The Homeland Security Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the ruling. The judge's ruling states that the children will stay for at least two weeks while the legal fight unfolds. The children were waiting on tarmacs to be sent to their native Guatemala, but for now, their fate remains uncertain.

Children on Guatemalan planes remain in United States temporarily, ruled by judge despite being stationed on the tarmac