Washington, DC – Today in response to a Trump-appointed federal judge ruling that prohibits the summary deportation of a Honduran child under Title 42 protocols, Kids in Need of Defense President Wendy Young issued the following statement:
“Today’s ruling puts this administration on notice that it cannot use unrelated public health authorities to skirt vital immigration laws that protect children’s lives. Thousands of children have already been returned to danger under the administration’s policy to close U.S. borders, including to unaccompanied children. These kids have been summarily returned to their home countries without being afforded access to clear legal protections contained in the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. The Trump Administration should acknowledge that these border expulsions are unlawful and immediately allow unaccompanied kids access to the asylum system, a step that medical professionals have affirmed is possible without increasing the risk of COVID.”
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Media Contact: Megan McKenna, mmckenna@supportkind.org, 202-631-9990