Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Reuniting Guatemalan Migrant Children with Their Families

In the latest clash over immigration enforcement, a federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from deporting Guatemalan migrant children — even though their parents in Guatemala have formally requested their return.

The ruling came in the middle of the night after progressive legal activists rushed to court in Washington, D.C. to stop the removals. The National Immigration Law Center filed an emergency appeal just after 1 a.m. ET, and by 2:35 a.m., U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan issued a 14-day restraining order halting the deportations.

Deportations Halted

The order covered not only 10 unaccompanied minors, ages 10 to 17, who were already placed on planes, but also potentially hundreds of other Guatemalan children currently in U.S. custody. By Sunday evening, government attorneys confirmed that the children had been pulled off flights and returned to shelters overseen by the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

President Trump, who has renewed his immigration crackdown after retaking office, struck an agreement with Guatemala to allow the swift repatriation of unaccompanied minors. The administration had planned to begin removals this past weekend, consistent with requests from the Guatemalan government and parents of the children.

Judge vs. Administration

During the emergency hearing, Judge Sooknanan pressed the Department of Justice for confirmation that no children had already been deported. DOJ attorney Drew Ensign assured the court that none had left U.S. soil. He further explained that parents and guardians in Guatemala had requested their children’s return — a claim attorneys for the children disputed.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller blasted the ruling, noting on X:

“The minors have all self-reported that their parents are back home in Guatemala. But a Democrat judge is refusing to let them reunify with their parents.”

Advocates Claim Risk of Harm

Immigrant advocacy groups argued the deportations would violate federal protections for migrant children and warned of possible abuse, persecution, or torture if the minors were sent back. Plaintiffs pointed to cases such as a 10-year-old indigenous girl whose mother had died and who had allegedly suffered abuse in the past.

The children were being housed in shelters and foster homes in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Republican commentator Scott Jennings ridiculed Democrats’ sudden shift, writing:

“Dems are suddenly IN FAVOR OF child separation as soon as the Trump administration attempts to reunite children with their deported parents in Guatemala. What are we even talking about right now?”

More Children Caught in Limbo

According to DOJ officials, 76 Guatemalan children in total were returned to shelters after Judge Sooknanan’s order, instead of being allowed to go back to their families. As POLITICO noted, Miller was livid:

“These smuggled migrant children were orphaned in America by the Biden Administration. The minors have all self-reported that their parents are back home in Guatemala. But a Democrat judge is refusing to let them reunify with their parents. The government of Guatemala has formally requested their return. And there are tens of thousands more smuggled minors orphaned in America by the Biden Administration that Democrats are refusing to allow back home with their families.”

Conservative commentator Eric Daughtery summed it up bluntly:

“This is utter and complete MADNESS.”