Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Unaccompanied Children from Central America

Sat Oct 18 2025 16:02:48 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A federal judge in Arizona has made a significant ruling, temporarily halting the deportation of Guatemalan and Honduran children who arrived in the U.S. alone. The decision expresses concerns over the welfare and legal rights of these minors.

U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez has temporarily barred the deportation of dozens of Central American children residing in U.S. shelters. Legal representatives highlighted fears of neglect and other dangers should these minors be sent back. The government has been criticized for its lack of coordination with parents and for not providing adequate legal safeguards to these vulnerable children.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A federal judge in Arizona temporarily blocked the Trump administration from removing dozens of Guatemalan and Honduran children living in shelters or foster care after coming to the U.S. alone, according to a decision issued on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez extended a temporary restraining order first issued over the Labor Day weekend until at least Sept. 26. The judge raised significant concerns about whether the government had coordinated properly for the custody of these children with their parents or legal guardians in Guatemala.

Laura Belous, an attorney representing the children from the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, stated in court that the minors have indicated they do not wish to be repatriated amid fears of neglect, potential trafficking, or other hardships linked to their individual medical conditions.

Legal representatives claimed the children fear returning home and criticized the government's failure to adhere to laws intended to protect migrant children. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of 57 Guatemalan minors and another 12 Honduran minors aged between 3 and 17.

Denise Ann Faulk, an assistant U.S. attorney, emphasized that repatriations were handled at high diplomatic levels, claiming it would prevent prolonged barring from returning to the U.S.

The lawsuit highlights that most affected children were housed under the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, primarily in Phoenix and Tucson shelters. Similar lawsuits in Illinois and Washington, D.C., are seeking to prevent these deportations.

The Arizona lawsuit seeks to ensure that children can present their cases to immigration judges, access legal counsel, and receive placements in environments that align with their best interests.

Historically, large numbers of children have crossed the U.S. border alone since 2014, with the numbers peaking in 2022. Guatemalans made up 32% of the population in government-run facilities last year, followed by Hondurans, Mexicans, and Salvadorans.

The case adds complexity to an ongoing legal battle, with Judge Márquez voicing concerns over inadequate measures taken regarding screenings and judicial decisions typically reserved for immigration judges.