A federal judge in San Diego has barred the separation of migrant children and ordered that those currently detained under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy be reunited with families within 30 days.
The order, which came down late Tuesday, is the result of an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit. It requires children younger than five who are detained in federally contracted shelters to be returned to their parents even sooner — within 14 days. Parents are entitled to speak with their children within 10 days, according to the ruling by U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
“The unfortunate reality is that under the present system, migrant children are not accounted for with the same efficiency and accuracy as property,” Judge Dana M. Sabraw said in the ruling.
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