Trump Administration Moves to End Flores Settlement Protecting Child Migrants
The Trump administration seeks to terminate the Flores Settlement, a key policy safeguarding child migrants, prompting legal challenges from advocates.
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Overview
The Trump administration has filed a motion to end the Flores Settlement, which has protected child migrants since the 1990s by limiting their detention to 72 hours. This move, described by government attorneys as an “intrusive regime,” is expected to face legal challenges from advocates who argue it is essential for ensuring humane treatment of children. The administration claims the agreement incentivizes illegal crossings and is no longer necessary due to new legislation. A hearing is scheduled for July 18, as advocates emphasize the potential for increased suffering among detained children if the settlement is dissolved.
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Analysis
- The articles express strong criticism of the Trump administration's actions against protections for child migrants.
- Concerns are raised about potential mistreatment and inadequate conditions for detained children.
- Advocates frame these moves as politically motivated and harmful to vulnerable populations.
Articles (5)
FAQ
The Flores Settlement is a 1997 legal agreement that established national standards for the detention, treatment, and prompt release of immigrant minors in the United States. It originated from a 1985 class-action lawsuit challenging the U.S. government's detention policies regarding immigrant children, aiming to ensure they are held in safe, sanitary, and least restrictive settings and released without unnecessary delay.
The Flores Settlement mandates that detained immigrant children must be held in the least restrictive setting appropriate for their age and needs, in safe and sanitary facilities, and must be released without unnecessary delay to a parent, relative, or other responsible adult sponsor.
The Trump administration describes the Flores Settlement as an 'intrusive regime' and claims it incentivizes illegal border crossings. They argue it is no longer necessary due to new legislation and have filed a motion to terminate it, which they believe will allow for different detention policies.
Advocates argue that ending the Flores Settlement could lead to increased suffering among detained children, as the settlement currently ensures humane treatment and limits the time children can be held in detention, preventing prolonged and potentially harmful incarceration.
The hearing for the motion filed by the Trump administration to end the Flores Settlement is scheduled for July 18.
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