The Judge & the Great Settlement Showdown
Picture this: a federal judge straight up shuts down the Trump administration’s bold plan to ditch a longtime deal that keeps the treatment of kids in immigration centers on a tight leash.
What the deal actually covers
- Sets clear standards for how children are kept in custody.
- Ensures they receive adequate food, water, medical care, and a safe environment.
- Has been in place for decades—no one talks about it, but it matters.
Why the Trump team jumped in
They claim the agreement is a roadblock to their aggressive move against illegal immigration, so they pushed for the federal judge to invalidate it. Spoiler: it didn’t work.
The judge’s game plan
The court stood firm, citing that the settlement is rooted in long-standing policy and is essential for child welfare. The government’s arguments didn’t have the chops to overturn it.
What’s next?
- The settlement stays.
- You can probably say the children will keep getting the care they deserve.
- Turns out, some rules just aren’t written on the official board of scratch‑and‑dice.
Bottom line
Even a powerful administration can’t pull the rug out from under a well‑established settlement—especially when it matters so much about kids. And the judge’s nope might just be the best thing we’ve seen so far.
Border Patrol Bounces Babies Across the Rio Grande – and the Legal Buzz
The Scoop (April 18, 2019)
On a brisk day near McAllen, Texas, Border Patrol teams rounded up a bunch of folks who had just crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico. It was a quick arrest, and the kids involved were in the mix.
Judge Dolly Gee Stays Tight on the Flores Deal
U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee, an Obama appointee assigned to California’s Central District, ruled on August 15 that the Department of Homeland Security didn’t have the right to abandon the Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA). This 1997 pact sets restrictions on how long children can be held and under what conditions in Border Patrol facilities.
Government’s Hot Take
In filings filed back in May, government lawyers dismissed the FSA as a “full‑blown intrusive regime.” They argue that the agreement snags agencies out of the process, forces them to release families early, and effectively creates a kickoff button for illegal immigrants to usher kids across the border, knowing the kids will get fast‑tracked out.
Why It Matters
- Legal Framework: The FSA is a cornerstone that protects children’s rights in detention.
- Policy Clash: DHS wants to dissolve it – but the judge found no solid foundation.
- Public Mirror: The case raises questions about border control tactics versus child welfare.
Takeaway
While the Border Patrol moves quickly on the ground, the courts are holding the policy cards closed. The debate over the Flores Agreement is far from over, and the next court decision could shape how many more kids get stuck in a bureaucratic maze or freed promptly.
Judge Dolly Gee Keeps the Flores Settlement Going: Why Trump’s Plan to Kill the FSA Stopped
Ever hear about the Family Separation Agreement (FSA)? Well, it’s the set of rules that says kids who get caught crossing the border can’t stay in the same cell with their parents for long. It’s like a rule that says you can’t play Monopoly for more than 20 rounds in a row without taking a break.
The FSA in a Nutshell
- Minors in 72 hours: If you find a kid in a border patrol cell, you must move them out within 72 hours and put them in a licensed shelter—or release them to a family.
- 20‑Day maximum: In 2015 Judge Gee set a cap: children can’t be held together with parents for more than about 20 days. The government just can’t find a long‑term family facility.
- The long haul: Immigration cases can drag on for weeks or months, which makes it hard to keep families stuck together for the whole process.
Trump’s Mission to Cancel the FSA
President Donald Trump, like a superhero trying to rid the world of a bad villain, tried to knock the FSA out from the system. First attempt in 2019 got blocked by Judge Gee. He got a second chance when Trump was re‑elected and promised to “crack down” on illegal immigration. The administration says the FSA is the reason for the immigration rollercoaster we’re all riding.
Last Week’s Hearing: Families vs. the Administration
In a recent hearing, groups fighting for the rights of kids in federal custody and Trump‑era attorneys went head‑to‑head. The advocates begged the judge to keep the FSA because conditions in Texas family centers were all but horror shows and they wanted independent monitoring. The government lawyers argued the FSA was a roadblock to crack down on the “illegal kids.”
Judge Gee’s “Déjà Vu” Take
Judge Gee, no fan of the same-old arguments, called the recent campaign a classic “déjà vu.” She echoed her August 15 order, saying that repeating the same dull points isn’t new at all. She described the government’s push to end the FSA as just a rehashed attempt that never worked.
What About the Filso Times?
While the Epworth Times reached out to DHS for thoughts on the ruling, the Associated Press helped stitch the story together.
Bottom Line: The FSA Is Still In Effect
Judge Gee’s decision means the Trump administration must still honor the 72‑hour transfer rule and 20‑day limit. In other words, families can’t be held together for the long haul, and kids get out of those grim cells fast.