LOS ANGELES – The state of California Monday filed suit in Los Angeles opposing the Trump administration’s new rule to lengthen the amount of time children in immigration custody can be held behind bars.
The multi-state complaint attempts to override part of the two-decade old Flores agreement, which outlines a minimum standard of care for migrant children in U.S. custody. The Flores agreement has been in place since 1997 and is overseen by U.S. District Judge Dolly M. Gee in Los Angeles federal court.
The lawsuit, announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, argues that prolonged detention would cause irreparable harm to children, their families, and the California communities that accept them upon their release from federal custody.
“This new Trump rule callously puts at risk the safety and well-being of children,” Becerra said. “It undermines a decades-old agreement reached in court by the federal government to prevent the unlawful detention of immigrant children. No child deserves to be left in conditions inappropriate and harmful for their age. We’re taking the Trump administration to court to protect children from the irreparable harm caused by unlawful and unnecessary detention. With our partners across the country, we will fight for the most vulnerable among us.”
Joining Becerra in filing the lawsuit is a coalition of the attorneys general of 18 states.
“Yet again, President Trump is disregarding basic human rights and using helpless immigrant children as political pawns to further his ideological agenda,” Newsom said. “California will emphatically assert itself to protect the welfare and safety of all children, regardless of where they come from or the color of their skin.”
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan said last week that the new policy would help prevent illegal migration by blocking what he called a “catch and release” loophole in which illegal immigrant families are released into the U.S. after 20 days of detention.
The coalition argues that the Trump administration’s rule interferes with the states’ ability to help ensure the health, safety, and welfare of children by undermining state licensing requirements for facilities where children are held.
The lawsuit alleges that the rule violates both the Administrative Procedure Act and the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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Carolyn says
If gruesome newsome ever becomes more then a governor I will definitely move out of this country. I would like to know what kind of idiots votes in a moron like him.
Carolyn says
There wouldn’t be irreparable damage to those children if their parents didn’t put them in that situation. So when they ate released Children’s Services should take the children from the parents for being negligent, causing mental issues and just for being bad parents. The psychological effects it has on these children are nothing compared to the children DCS removes from homes of American families that don’t deserve it. These children have it made like royalty. They are by no means being treated bad or going without. If only American children could have it so good.
Tim Scott says
First off, the claim that they aren’t be treated badly is a bald faced lie and you should be ashamed of yourself.
Second, if you believe that taking and torturing someone’s children is appropriate sentencing for the commission of a misdemeanor I hope you volunteer for it the next time you catch a traffic ticket.
fact check says
Fact check: ACLU says the mistreatment of children at the border under Obama was monstrous. Imagine what it’s like under Trump. Taking and torturing someone’s children for the commission of a misdemeanor is wrong under either administration.
A disgrace to California says
the two idiots running our state complaining again sure hope Trump takes away Federal funding for California
B.O.B says
What about the American Kids ?
Kiki says
What about them?
Ron says
Deport them all. BUILD THE Wall.
Lawsuit says
No surprise there…
Trumpist#1 says
Gruesome Newsom (thanks Ignacio P) will run for President in 2024. If he wins, I’m renouncing my citizenship and moving to Somalia. I hear there’s plenty of places to live there since they are all in Minneapolis.
TBNT says
Trumpist#1:
Maya, waad mahadsantahay, ma rabno kacdoon cunsurinimo dalkeena. Ka hubi wadamada kale ee Afrika. Mahadsanid.
Trumpist#1 says
My sentiments exactly. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Alexis says
I might be levitating in 2024.
Trumpist#1 says
It’ll be easier to levitate if we elect our girl Marianne Williamson. Karma and universal vibrations would be much more conducive to all forms of new world practices if we use magic crystals and radiate love.
Go Marianne. I’m voting for her in the Dem primary.