Judge Weighs Trump Administration Bid to End Nationwide Immigrant Child Protections

The Trump administration is seeking to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, a decades-old policy that sets national standards for the treatment and detention duration of immigrant children in federal custody. U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee, who oversees the agreement, expressed skepticism about the administration’s request and questioned why children are being held longer than the 72-hour limit despite lower border arrests, noting that conditions appear to be deteriorating. The administration argues that the agreement restricts its immigration crackdown and the use of new detention facilities funded by recent legislation. Advocates for detained children emphasize the necessity of the agreement to ensure basic dignity and safe conditions, highlighting ongoing issues such as lack of soap, showers, and privacy for children. Data presented in court revealed cases of children being held for weeks, including toddlers, raising concerns about the government’s internal monitoring capacity without the agreement. The judge did not immediately rule, and the outcome remains pending as the court weighs the balance between immigration enforcement and the welfare of detained minors.