Migrants May Be Released Due to Court Rulings

By Andrea Ano First Posted: Apr 09, 2020 07:58 AM EDT

U.S. President Trump leads the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington

(Photo: Reuters)

On April 6, 2020, a district judge in Los Angeles issued the Trump administration an explanation as to why many of the nearly 7,000 migrant children in America, who are at risk of being infected by the coronavirus in facilities and detention camps, should be quickly released and handed over to awaiting sponsors.

READ: Immigrant Advocates Plea for ICE to Release Detainees

No Response from the White House

The Department of Justice did not respond regarding the intention of the administration to intervene in the matter, and the White House has made no response as of yet.

Experts Chime In

While praising the rulings, Karen Tumlin, a Los Angeles based lawyer and founder and director of the Justice Action Center, stated the administration was simply enforcing long-standing immigration laws amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Tumlin, who recently assisted three children in the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, or ORR, for a year, had this to say:

"If you are lucky enough to have a lawyer, to get a judge to do a telephonic hearing, then we're getting common-sense results in favor of release - during a pandemic."

ALSO READ: Should ICE Be Forced to Release Illegal Migrants In Custody?

How are the children affected?

In a ruling, late Saturday, Judge Dolly M. Gee of the United States District Court stated that although children seem less prone to COVID-19 than adults, they were far more susceptible if in crowded facilities - and not only to viruses but also to traumatic experiences.

Judge Gee claims that the extent of damage that can be caused by these circumstances, as well as the obligation of the public to avoid COVID-19, tips the scales in the interests of those detained.

Another risk is the transmission between ICE and ORR custodians infecting other workers, which could then spread locally and potentially overwhelm local healthcare programs. Not to mention, it would reduce the effectiveness of the agencies.

The Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Human and Health Services Department is responsible for about 3,600 unaccompanied migrant kids in shelters across the United States.

ORR has confirmed four instances of coronavirus among minors in its custody of the 18 analyzed as of March 27 had put at least one child under quarantine while awaiting results, according to the ORR. Eight ORR personnel or perhaps foster parents in five programs in New York, Texas, and Washington have also self-reported testing positive for COVID-19.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed several cases among detainees, most in New Jersey, and these cases are; five cases are confirmed among employees or personnel operating in detention centers, as well as 28 other staff members, as of this week.

Both ICE and ORR said they are reviewing the appropriate orders. ICE spokeswoman Lori Haley stated that the bureau couldn't comment on pending litigation. At the same time, Human and Health Services spokesman Mark Weber stated that the ORR would soon reply to the court.