Judge halts deportations of Guatemalan children in US custody

In the United States, the Trump administration initiated a controversial plan to repatriate hundreds of unaccompanied Guatemalan children who are currently in government custody. These children, many of whom reportedly lack custodial guardians or parents in the US, were identified for repatriation by the Health and Human Services Department as part of a pilot program coordinated with the Guatemalan government. The process was set to begin this past Sunday amid significant legal and advocacy challenges, linked to fears of risking these children's safety upon their return to Guatemala. Advocates and legal representatives have contested the removals, arguing it violates protections afforded by US law for unaccompanied minors. Concerns were raised about the children’s understanding of their situation, with reports of many being removed from their shelter environments abruptly—some even in the middle of the night. The legal pushback gained momentum as a federal judge temporarily issued a halt to the deportations, while protests arose over the welfare of these children as they experienced uncertainty and fear regarding their future. The actions underscore a broader narrative of immigration policy debates ongoing in the United States, especially concerning vulnerable populations like unaccompanied minors.