A federal judge in Houston has intervened to halt the Trump administration’s efforts to deport unaccompanied migrant children to Guatemala, mandating that only those with existing deportation orders can be sent back. This ruling comes amid a quickly mobilized plan to send dozens of children back to their home country.

U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle Sooknanan issued a temporary restraining order on Sunday after attorneys raised concerns about a rushed deportation initiative that could affect hundreds of minors. The order prohibits the removal of children aged 10 to 17 to Guatemala, as legal representatives argued this move would undermine protections laid out by Congress for these vulnerable individuals. As a result, Sooknanan convened an emergency hearing with little notice after learning that some deportations were already in progress.

During the hearing, Sooknanan expanded her order to cover all unaccompanied children in U.S. custody without deportation orders, instructing the Justice Department to notify immigration officials to cease deportation efforts immediately. Attorney Drew Ensign confirmed that aircraft prepared for the deportation remained in the U.S., and he assured the court that any children on board would be returned to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Sooknanan acknowledged the unusual nature of her order, which is set to last for 14 days, but explained her decision was warranted after the government chose to implement the plan during a holiday weekend. In their legal challenge, attorneys for the affected children argued that the administration’s actions violated established legal protections that allow minors to seek humanitarian assistance and avoid swift deportation, citing the risks of violence and neglect should they return to Guatemala.

Ensign defended the Trump administration’s approach, claiming the aim was to repatriate children to reunite them with relatives, not to formally deport them. However, legal representatives disputed this assertion, pointing to specific cases where family consent for repatriation was absent. They cited laws designed to protect unaccompanied minors, which require that children from countries other than Mexico be granted an opportunity to present their cases before an immigration judge.

Legal advocates emphasized that many of these children have ongoing immigration cases and are seeking relief due to past traumas. Neha Desai, an attorney with the National Center for Youth Law, condemned the deportation attempts as unlawful and inhumane, highlighting that many of the children had already filed claims for legal relief based on severe abuse suffered in their home countries.

The current deportation plans reflect a broader shift in policy under the Trump administration, which has made it increasingly difficult for unaccompanied minors to gain legal entry into the United States. Changes enacted have included tightening the rules for sponsorship by family members and offering certain teenagers opportunities for voluntary repatriation.

As more than 2,000 unaccompanied minors currently remain in U.S. care, concerns over their treatment and safety continue to spark debate. The administration’s decision to monitor children released from government custody raises further questions amidst contradictions about the handling of unaccompanied migrant minors, particularly in light of claims regarding their well-being and safety.

The legal landscape surrounding unaccompanied minors remains contentious, with advocates pushing to ensure that their rights and safety are prioritized amidst shifting immigration policies.