Thousands of children still remain separated from their parents who sought asylum from certain death, not uncommonly pulled hundreds of miles apart. The Donald Trump administration has done its best to make the process extremely difficult with hoop after hoop of bureaucracy, even charging mothers for the cost of their child’s airfare and DNA testing. Fortunately, the judicial system has begun to help.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) asked Judge Dana Sabraw to temporarily stop reunited families from being deported just for a week while they decided whether to continue with the asylum process. USA Today reported:
‘(The decision) cannot be made until parents not only have had time to fully discuss the ramifications with their children, but also to hear from the child’s advocate or counsel, who can explain to the parent the likelihood of the child ultimately prevailing in his or her own asylum case if left behind in the U.S. (as well as where the child is likely to end up living).’
According to USA Today, the ACLU was trying to prevent:
‘Persistent and increasing rumors … that mass deportations may be carried out imminently and immediately upon reunification.’
Sabraw agreed, indicating that he wondered whether Trump’s people were acting in good faith. The judge has ordered the administration to unite the remaining 2,500 children ages five and older by July 26.
In an attempt to make that deadline, the White House has ordered abbreviated vetting. It said that while “truncated” procedures were risky, they were necessary in order to meet that deadline. Trump’s administration also said it would exclude DNA testing and other methods it used to guarantee children under five-years-old returned to their rightful parents.
Sabraw insisted that the White House meet the deadline in his next order:
‘The task is laborious, but can be accomplished in the time and manner prescribed.’
The judge scheduled four hearings over the next two weeks to make certain that the administration complied with his order.
Spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS), Evelyn Stauffer, said this about the Trump’s administration’s proposed plan:
‘In the interests of transparency and cooperation. Within the time the court allows, we will strive to implement the most comprehensive procedures possible to ensure child welfare. We look forward to continuing our close work with the court to accomplish the goals we share of safe, expeditious reunification.’
Featured image screenshot via YouTube.
