Speak out for children fleeing danger

In the U.S., we have laws that allow migrant children who are fleeing dangerous circumstances in their home countries to seek asylum here. But it seems that the rights of these children are being ignored. Consider these news reports on what federal authorities are doing:

Early on the Saturday morning of Labor Day weekend, the U.S. attempted to deport dozens of children from Guatemala. They were awakened during the night and quickly removed from their shelters. The kids were already on their way to airports or sitting on planes by the time their lawyers and advocates were able to get temporary restraining orders from three different courts.

There is a class-action lawsuit pending, known as LGML v. Noem, on behalf of the children to prohibit the government from sending them back to Guatemala without due process. A ruling by a federal judge on Sept. 18 prohibits the deportation of those children while the lawsuit is pending.

The reason the government gave was that the children’s parents wanted them to be returned to Guatemala. However, the parents have refuted that claim. The attempted deportations were in violation of U.S. and international legal protections.

Reports on Oct. 3 indicated that the U.S. is attempting to entice children as young as 14 years old to choose deportation. If they consent, they will leave the U.S. and receive $2,500 after they arrive in their country of origin. Children’s rights advocates argue that the children would be giving up their right to seek asylum, and that the deportations undermine laws that guarantee a fair process to determine their eligibility for protection against violence, trafficking, abuse, and persecution.

If you are concerned about the fate of these children, stay informed, especially regarding the lawsuits to protect them. Speak out on their behalf.

Christine Chason, Schaumburg

Aisha Ghori, Lincolnwood