U.S. attempts midnight deportation of 76 Guatemalan children from shelters and foster homes
In the middle of the night, with only hours' notice, the administration attempted to deport at least 76 Guatemalan children - ripping them from beds in shelters and foster homes, loading them into vans, and rushing them to airports. A federal judge halted the deportations.
What We Know
- At least 76 Guatemalan children targeted for deportation
- Children removed from shelters and foster homes at night
- Only "a couple of hours' notice" given
- Federal judge ordered 14-day halt to deportations
- Order later extended to all unaccompanied Guatemalan minors
- 600 Guatemalan minors initially planned for return
- Children had not exhausted immigration appeals
What We Don't Know
- Total number of children affected
- Conditions children faced during attempted deportation
- Status of children's immigration cases
Common Misstatements
Claims children were not legally in the system. These were unaccompanied minors with pending immigration cases who had not exhausted their appeals.