Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Deporting Guatemalan Migrant Children

Fri Oct 17 2025 09:19:40 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A federal court ruling has temporarily halted the deportation of Guatemalan migrant children who arrived alone in the United States, emphasizing a critical moment in the ongoing immigration debate amid President Trump's administration.

U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly has issued a ruling preventing the Trump administration from proceeding with the immediate deportation of Guatemalan migrant children. This judgment follows a controversial plan by the administration to return these children to Guatemala, a move criticized by child advocate groups who argue many are fleeing violence and danger. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect pending further legal developments, with implications for how the government handles similar cases.

In a critical ruling, a federal judge has barred the Trump administration from deporting Guatemalan migrant children who arrived in the U.S. unaccompanied. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly stated that there was insufficient evidence to support the government's claims that the parents of these children requested their return, highlighting the ongoing legal battle surrounding President Trump's stringent immigration policies.

The ruling follows a controversial initiative by the administration to swiftly remove these children from government shelters and foster care, an action reminiscent of previous family separation practices at the border. Judge Kelly's decision underlines the complicated interplay between immigration enforcement and child protection as advocates fight to ensure the safety of vulnerable minors.

The judge's ruling comes after a temporary order had been issued, which was set to expire, prompting an extension to offer additional legal protections to the children while the case is further evaluated. He did, however, deny advocates' requests to expand protections to other migrant children from different nationalities, noting any similar deportation efforts might be unlawful.

This situation follows reports that the Trump administration had been preparing to deport hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan children. Immigration advocates quickly mobilized to halt these plans, arguing that many of these children are fleeing severe abuse or threats in their home countries.

As the legal process unfolds, the broader implications for U.S. immigration policy and the treatment of vulnerable migrants remain at the forefront of public discourse.