On October 16, 2023, the Biden administration reached a legal settlement in a mass case involving nearly 4,400 migrants separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border under the Trump administration. From 2017-2018, the Trump Administration separated children under the age of 18 from their parents, rendering them custody of the Department of Health and Human Services. Parents were then prosecuted in federal court, facing deportation.
As part of the settlement, the impacted migrants and their families will be permitted to live and work in the U.S. for 3 years and will be entitled to housing and health services during this time. Legal assistance will also be provided for those seeking asylum status.
Most notably, for the next 8 years, the federal government will restrain from separating families crossing the border. Separation will only occur for those who have previously entered the country illegally 2 or more times, or for those considered a public danger.
At this time, it is anticipated that U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw will approve the settlement, though objections can still be proposed. Several individual families are continuing to seek financial damages in civil court, though the Justice Department has moved away from these negotiations at large.
Speak to a Family Immigration Lawyer Today
This settlement is monumental for thousands of individuals and their families seeking to raise their children in the U.S. and can have significant impacts on their immigration cases.
Reeves Immigration Law Group is committed to the protection of family units and works tirelessly to propose creative solutions in family-based cases. Our team of California immigration lawyers employs a personalized approach to every case, increasing the chances of a successful outcome. To speak with a family immigration lawyer on any concerns regarding this settlement or your specific case, fill out our contact form today.
