Federal Judge Denies Trump Administration's Motion to Dismiss Flores Settlement Agreement, Upholding Standards for Immigrant Children in Detention
Federal funding for public media has been reduced by Congress, resulting in a $3.4 million loss for LAist. To sustain local journalism, readers are encouraged to become monthly members and support the nonprofit newsroom. In a recent development, a federal judge in Los Angeles denied a motion from the Trump administration to dismiss a long-standing settlement that safeguards immigrant children in federal detention. The judge, U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee, emphasized that the government had not demonstrated compliance with the agreement's requirements, such as the prompt release of minors and the proper licensing of family detention centers. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment from LAist. During a hearing, lawyers representing immigrant children raised concerns about prolonged stays in U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities and requested the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the situation. The focus of the hearing was on the Flores Settlement Agreement, a consent decree from 1997 that sets standards for the treatment of children in immigration custody. While part of the agreement was terminated last year for the Department of Health and Human Services, the requirements of Flores still apply to Homeland Security facilities like Border Patrol. The government sought to terminate these requirements, citing the need for flexibility and recent legislation, but the judge expressed skepticism about the government's arguments. Immigrant rights groups, including the Flores plaintiffs, strongly opposed the government's efforts to end the agreement, calling it a political move that undermines the checks and balances system. Another motion was presented by immigrant advocacy organizations, alleging that the government is violating the Flores agreement by subjecting children to harsh conditions in Border Patrol facilities for extended periods. The judge has yet to rule on this motion but has expressed concerns about the prolonged detention of children in such facilities. The origins of the Flores agreement can be traced back to Los Angeles in the 1980s when lawyers challenged the treatment of a 15-year-old girl from El Salvador in federal custody. This case led to the establishment of national standards for the care of children in immigration detention, a legacy that continues to shape the treatment of immigrant children today. Carlos Holguín, the immigration lawyer who initiated the lawsuit, remains involved in the case, advocating for the protection of children's rights in detention facilities.