Sep 27, 2019 - Politics & Policy

Court blocks Trump from indefinitely detaining migrant families

Donald Trump looking down.

Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Federal Judge Dolly Gee on Friday blocked the Trump administration's attempt to keep migrant families detained long term.

Why it matters: This is the second time Gee has stopped the administration from trying to change or replace the Flores Agreement — a court order that prohibits detaining migrant children for longer than 20 days.

What they’re saying: ”The Department of Justice is disappointed that the court is continuing to impose the outdated Flores Agreement even after the government has done exactly what the Agreement required: issue a comprehensive rule that will protect vulnerable children, maintain family unity, and ensure due process for those awaiting adjudication of their immigration claims," a Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement.

Go deeper