The Trump administration attempted to deport hundreds of unaccompanied migrant children. U.S. officials claimed their families were eager for reunification. A confidential Guatemalan government report directly contradicts this claim. It reveals many families actively opposed the forced returns.
The internal document was produced by Guatemala’s attorney general’s office. It details contact with families of children on a U.S. deportation list. This report undercuts the official U.S. position on the controversial policy.
Internal Findings Reveal Widespread Family Opposition
According to the report reviewed by Reuters, Guatemalan authorities contacted 115 families. These families were connected to children on a U.S. list of 609 minors. The children ranged in age from 10 to 17 years old.
The findings were stark. Of the families contacted, 59 expressed anger about the deportation plan. Some families described the U.S. effort as intimidation. They believed their children were in a process to gain legal status.
Many were shocked by the sudden contact. They did not expect their children to be sent back to Guatemala. The report provides the most comprehensive insight into family resistance.
Legal Battle and Midnight Operations Spark Outcry
The deportation effort triggered an immediate legal challenge. A federal judge blocked the flights hours before they were scheduled to depart. The Justice Department had argued parents wanted their children deported.
Court filings from the children tell a different story. They describe being woken in the middle of the night. Shelter staff moved them for impending flights without warning.
One 16-year-old called their mother upon learning of the deportation. The mother had no prior knowledge of the plan. She broke down crying upon hearing the news, according to the filing.
The internal Guatemalan report provides critical evidence in an ongoing legal and humanitarian dispute. It challenges the fundamental justification for the swift child deportations. The situation remains a flashpoint in U.S. immigration policy.
Info at your fingertips
What was the age range of the children facing deportation?
The U.S. government list included unaccompanied minors from 10 to 17 years old. This broad range surprised Guatemalan officials, who expected only older teens.
Why did the judge block the deportations?
A federal judge issued an emergency halt after legal advocates filed a motion. The block remains in place pending further court review of the policy’s legality.
What reasons did families give for their children migrating?
The Guatemalan report found about half of the families cited economic reasons. Other cases involved dire threats, including one child under a death threat.
How did the U.S. government respond to the report?
An administration official stated Guatemala had previously assured safe processing of returned children. They emphasized the goal of reunification.
What is the status of the children now?
The children remain in U.S. Health and Human Services custody shelters. Their final status depends on the outcome of the ongoing federal court case.
Trusted Sources: Reuters.
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