Judge halts deportation of Guatemalan and Honduran children

In the United States, a federal judge in Arizona issued a ruling on September 26, 2025, blocking the immediate deportation of dozens of Guatemalan and Honduran children who had entered the country alone. U.S. District Judge Rosemary Márquez granted a preliminary injunction due to concerns regarding the government's preparedness to deport these minors back to their home countries. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project on behalf of 57 Guatemalan minors and 12 Honduran minors, emphasizing the need for the children to be given the opportunity to present their cases and to have access to legal counsel. The situation escalated over Labor Day weekend when the Trump administration had notified shelters housing these children that they needed to prepare for the deportation of several hundred minors, sparking legal action and public outcry. The legal argument presented by Judge Márquez challenged the administration's claim that the deportations were aimed at reuniting the children with their parents. The court found that the government had failed to provide evidence of any coordination between parents and the U.S. or Guatemalan authorities. The judge noted that the administration's rushed deportation plans lacked adequate preparation and oversight, raising significant concerns about the welfare of vulnerable children caught in the immigration system. Márquez's decision to extend the temporary restraining order prohibiting deportations until at least September 26 highlighted the legal and practical difficulties faced by the Trump administration in executing its immigration policies. Through this ruling, the court also aimed to ensure that these children would not face forcible removal without appropriate legal protections. The ruling served as a critical reminder of the judiciary's role in safeguarding the rights of minors in immigration proceedings, particularly when they are unable to advocate for themselves. Furthermore, the Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project issued a statement expressing their deep concern regarding the government's actions aimed at deporting children who are separated from their families and unable to defend themselves. They called on citizens to protect the rights of these vulnerable children. As the situation stood, the administration continued to assert the necessity of reunifying these minors with their families. However, these deportation efforts faced resistance from legal advocates and humanitarian organizations, highlighting a broader debate over the treatment of migrant children and the U.S.'s immigration policies.