Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of 76 Guatemalan Unaccompanied Minors
In a significant legal intervention, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s effort to deport 76 unaccompanied Guatemalan children from the United States. The order prevents the government from transferring these children back to Guatemala while their immigration cases are ongoing.
The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, came amid reports that the children were already being deplaned and in the process of removal when the court acted. Judge Sooknanan’s order instructed the administration to immediately cease “any ongoing efforts to transfer, repatriate, remove, or otherwise facilitate the transport” of the children in question. The order applies specifically to all Guatemalan unaccompanied minors in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) as of the early morning on August 31, 2025, except those subject to a final removal order.
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign confirmed that all affected children had been deplaned and returned to ORR custody following the judge’s intervention. The action arises from a class action lawsuit filed by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) representing 10 of the children involved, highlighting the vulnerability of many of these minors, who are often indigenous and speak rare languages, making them susceptible to coercion or misinformation in deportation proceedings.
Advocacy Groups Denounce Attempted Removals
Immigrant children’s rights advocates swiftly condemned the Trump administration’s attempted deportations. The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, serving as “next friend” for plaintiffs in the case, emphasized that over 600 unaccompanied Guatemalan children in federal custody were at risk of being sent back to Guatemala before their immigration cases were even initiated or resolved, potentially forcing them back into dangerous circumstances.
Reports indicated ICE agents were actively moving toward government shelters to facilitate immediate deportations before the court order was obtained. Advocates rushed to shelter locations in an effort to protect the children and stop their removal. The temporary restraining order issued by the court will remain in place until at least September 14, allowing for further legal consideration of permanent relief to safeguard these minors.
Context and Concerns
The administration’s move to rapidly deport unaccompanied minors without completing their asylum or immigration hearings raised deep concerns about the safety and legal rights of these children. Many of the affected minors include indigenous individuals who speak languages uncommon in the U.S. and Guatemala alike, complicating their ability to understand legal processes or communicate effectively during deportation procedures.
This case highlights long-standing debates over how the U.S. handles unaccompanied immigrant minors, balancing immigration enforcement with humanitarian and legal protections. The ruling marks an important checkpoint, ensuring these children remain in legal custody while their cases proceed.
Ongoing Legal Battle
The court’s decision to halt deportations is not permanent but provides critical temporary protection. Advocates hope it will allow sufficient time for the courts to fully assess the legality of the administration’s deportation policies and ensure that the children’s rights are not violated.
The Young Center and NILC continue their efforts to advocate for immigration policies that treat children first and foremost as vulnerable individuals requiring care and legal protection.