Guatemalan Migrant Children Report Trauma After Attempted Deportations Guatemalan children in U.S. federal custody describe being “traumatized” and “depressed” following a clandestine effort by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport them over Labor Day weekend. In court filings submitted on Thursday, multiple unaccompanied minors, aged 16 and 17, recounted being awakened in the pre-dawn hours and told they would be placed on a flight to Guatemala. One 16-year-old, identified as A.J.D.E., shared that at 2:30 a.m. they called their mother in Guatemala, causing her to break down in tears. The teen, who fled Guatemala after their sister’s murder, said, “I fear returning to Guatemala… I can’t even find the words to describe how traumatized I feel.” Another 17-year-old, A.R.M.D., reported waking up at 2 a.m. feeling suffocated by fear and now suffers from depression due to the prospect of removal. Advocates argue these actions violate the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, which mandates enhanced safeguards for unaccompanied minors, including access to legal counsel and consent procedures before voluntary departure.

Federal Judge Halts Removals Pending Review On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan issued a 14-day temporary restraining order preventing ICE from deporting any unaccompanied Guatemalan minors without final removal orders. The order applies to hundreds of children in the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) custody, pending full adjudication of their asylum claims. Lawyers for the children filed for a longer-term injunction to replace the emergency order, citing the imminent risk of persecution, gang recruitment, and violence if returned.

President Arévalo Affirms Readiness to Receive Minors Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo stated on Monday that his government is prepared to accept up to 150 unaccompanied minors per week from the United States but emphasized that the decision on timing and numbers rests with U.S. authorities amid ongoing legal disputes. Arévalo noted coordination with U.S. officials but stressed that the U.S. must determine “the pace and the number” of transfers.

Background

• Under U.S. law, unaccompanied children are entitled to placement in the least restrictive environment, access to legal counsel, and judicial oversight before any removal.
• The recent removals were characterized by U.S. and Guatemalan officials as “repatriations” or “family reunifications,” but legal advocates contend they were conducted covertly and without necessary protections, amounting to illegal deportations.

Outlook

The legal battle now shifts to a hearing next week on the minors’ request for a preliminary injunction. Meanwhile, advocacy groups continue to challenge the removals in multiple jurisdictions, and Guatemalan authorities have pledged to receive returnees-setting the stage for further diplomatic and legal negotiations.