Court Grants Injunction Stopping Detention of Asylum-Seeking Mothers, Children

AndreyPopov/iStock/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — A federal court on Friday granted an injunction stopping the Obama administration’s policy of locking up mothers and children seeking asylum in an effort to deter others from coming to the United States.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the case on behalf of mothers and children who have fled Central America for safety in the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security “has been denying release of these families as part of an ‘aggressive deterrence strategy.'”

“The court held that it was illegal to detain families based on deterrence,” ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project’s Deputy Director Judy Rabinovitz said. “It made clear that the government cannot deprive individuals of their liberty merely to send a message to others.”

The Department of Homeland Security said on Saturday that it “is reviewing the court’s decision.”

“[Immigration and Customs Enforcement]’s family residential centers are used as an effective and humane alternative to maintain family unity as families go through immigration proceedings or return to their home countries,” DHS said in a statement. “ICE ensures that these residential centers operate in an open environment, which includes medical care, play rooms, social workers, educational services, and facilitates access to legal counsel.”

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