On June 26, the federal district in LA ordered ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to release all minors who have been in the custody of three detention centres for 20 days by July 17, citing the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in the regions where the Family Residential Centres are located as the reason.
The agency has two ways of releasing minors in its custody. They can either release them to other family members if their parents consent to being separated, or ICE can remove families from detention together, allowing them to continue immigration proceedings within the US.
In April, ICE officials conducted a parole review of minors in its custody, but denied most of their release requests. ICE explains these requests were denied because parents did not agree to have their children separated from them to be released to ‘sponsors’.
If any minor remains at an FRC for more than 20 days, Judge Dolly Gee lists that having no suitable sponsors, lack of parental consent or failure to appear at a hearing are all satisfactory reasons. This ultimately means that many minors will continue to be in ICE custody, still exposed to and unprotected from coronavirus and trauma from growing up in detention centres.
Written by Aimy
Media by Ben Hyland
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