At least 66 unaccompanied migrant children have been deported by United States border officials without a court hearing or asylum interview, violating a judge’s court order.
On November 18, District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled that the public health law the Trump administration has been using since March does not allow authorities to deport immigrants without an asylum hearing. The children are supposed to be transferred to shelters, other housing facilities, or to sponsors while pursuing an asylum claim or other forms of relief from deportation.
Since Sullivan’s ruling, eight children between the ages of 12 and 17-years-old were deported, according to William Ferrara, the head of the Office of Field Operations. One of them was later identified as a U.S. citizen and allowed to return to the country.
Justice Department lawyers have worked to have Sullivan’s order suspended, saying it will lead to a spike in border crossings. They believe the influx could lead to an uptick in coronavirus infections.
However, CBS News reporter Camilo Montoya-Galvez says there are several ways the government can protect minors while following coronavirus protocols. One of the measures the government can take is to act more quickly in providing court hearings for children. They can also expedite the release of children who have U.S. sponsors and move others to housing more inland to open up space for new arrivals.
Another measure is to ask contractors to increase bed capacity to make room for more children. Right now, facilities are operating far below capacity and have the space to accommodate more children. The Trump administration argues that it is anticipating an influx of minor children coming into the country in the coming weeks, filling available beds.
