Key Takeaways:
- The Trump administration is trying to end the Flores Settlement Agreement, a 28-year-old ruling that protects migrant children in U.S. custody.
- The agreement ensures children receive basic necessities like food, water, soap, and toothpaste.
- Immigration lawyers are outraged, calling the move a threat to vulnerable children.
- The administration argues that the agreement is outdated and no longer fits current immigration challenges.
- A hearing on the matter is scheduled for mid-July.
What Is the Flores Settlement Agreement?
The Flores Settlement Agreement is a legal ruling from 1997 that sets standards for how the U.S. government treats migrant children in custody. These children often come to the U.S. alone, without their parents or guardians. The agreement ensures that they are held in safe, clean, and licensed facilities. It also requires that they receive basic necessities like food, water, soap, and toothpaste.
This agreement was created after a lawsuit highlighted the poor conditions migrant children faced in detention. It has been in place for nearly three decades, providing a safety net for thousands of children.
Why Does the Trump Administration Want to End It?
The Trump administration is now trying to end the Flores Settlement Agreement. They argue that the agreement is outdated and doesn’t reflect the current challenges of immigration. The Justice Department says that one court has controlled this part of immigration policy for too long, and it’s time for a change.
During Trump’s first term, his administration tried to end the agreement but failed. Now, they’re trying again, saying things are different since the agreement was first made. They claim that immigration laws have changed and that more migrant children are arriving now than in the past.
What Do Critics Say About Ending Flores?
Immigration attorneys and advocates are strongly against ending the Flores Settlement Agreement. They say it provides the most basic protections for migrant children, ensuring they are treated humanely.
Mishan Wroe, an immigration attorney, explained that the agreement requires things like soap, toothpaste, and adequate food and water for children in custody. She criticized the government for refusing to meet even these minimal standards. “The fact that the government refuses to be held accountable to even these most basic standards to keep children safe speaks volumes,” she said.
Others, like Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, point out that the Trump administration tried this before and failed. “They lost every effort to do this in Trump’s first term,” he said.
Why Is the Flores Agreement Important?
The Flores Settlement Agreement is crucial because it sets national standards for how migrant children are treated while in U.S. custody. Without it, there would be no guarantee that children receive even the most basic necessities.
Anna Núñez, a former strategist at the Texas Immigration Council, shared a heartbreaking reminder of what life is like for these children. She referenced a 2018 report that included audio of babies crying in detention centers. “THIS is why the Flores Agreement, which Trump seeks to terminate, is important,” she said. “It’s national standards for detention, treatment, and release of immigrant children in federal custody.”
What Happens Next?
The battle over the Flores Settlement Agreement is far from over. A hearing is scheduled for mid-July, where a judge will listen to arguments from both sides. If the administration succeeds in ending the agreement, it could leave thousands of migrant children without the basic protections they currently have.
Why Should You Care?
The Flores Settlement Agreement isn’t just about immigration policy—it’s about how we treat vulnerable children. These children are alone, scared, and in need of protection. The agreement ensures that they are treated with dignity and care. If it’s ended, the consequences could be severe.
As one advocate put it, the Flores Agreement provides nothing more than the bare minimum for these children. If the government can’t meet these basic standards, it raises serious questions about our values as a nation.
The fight over the Flores Settlement Agreement is a reminder of the ongoing debate over immigration in the U.S. While the Trump administration argues that the agreement is outdated, critics say it’s a vital protection for migrant children. The outcome of this legal battle could change the lives of thousands of children who come to the U.S. seeking safety.