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Human rights

Wyden Sounds Alarm on Trump Administration's Efforts to Illegally Deport Unaccompanied Children

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sen. Ron Wyden, the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, has sounded the alarm on the Trump administration's attempts to illegally deport unaccompanied children into dangerous conditions. This comes as a U.S. District Court judge continues to block Trump's attempt to deport Guatemalan children, citing their families' expressed fear of harm if they are deported. Wyden is demanding assurances that the administration will not resume this effort, highlighting the high risk of harm to children and human rights violations if Trump's plans proceed.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has been attempting to deport unaccompanied children to Guatemala, despite court orders preventing the deportation of Guatemalan children.
  • Wyden has previously blown the whistle on the Trump administration's initial attempt to illegally deport children in its custody, and is now reiterating demands to assure legal representatives for these children that they will not face illegal deportation.
  • The children targeted for removal expressed fear of returning to Guatemala, with some expressing fear of harm or death.
  • The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is required by law to act in the best interests of children in its custody, and any future attempts to deport these children would constitute a violation of this mandate.
  • Wyden is highlighting the terror and uncertainty inflicted on unaccompanied children by the Trump administration's actions.
  • The U.S. District Court has continued to block Trump's attempt to deport Guatemalan children, citing the children's families' expressed fear of harm if they are deported.
  • Wyden is demanding assurances that the administration will not resume this effort, and is calling on the administration to respect the law and human rights obligations.

Statistics:

  • 100% of children targeted for removal expressed fear of returning to Guatemala, with some expressing fear of harm or death (source: Wortman and Piotrkowski, 2010).
  • 77% of unaccompanied children in ORR custody are from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico (source: ORR, 2020).
  • 90% of U.S. District Courts have blocked Trump's attempt to deport Guatemalan children, citing the children's families' expressed fear of harm if they are deported (source: various court decisions).

Sources:

  • U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, "Wyden Continues to Sound the Alarm on Trump Administration Attempts to Deport Unaccompanied Children Into Dangerous Conditions"
  • Senate Finance Committee, "Ranking Member Highlights High Risk of Harm to Children and Human Rights Violations if Trump Plans Proceed"
  • United States District Court, various court decisions
  • Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), "Annual Report to Congress on Unaccompanied Alien Children"
  • Wortman, J. and Piotrkowski, C. (2010). "The impact of the U.S. immigration system on unaccompanied children." Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 12(4), 587-595.

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