Court Injunction Could Lead To Fewer Immigrant Family Detentions

By Mónica Ortiz Uribe
February 25, 2015
Supply
Mónica Ortiz Uribe
Supply backpacks prepared by volunteers in Artesia, New Mexico to give to immigrant families released from detention. The Artesia detention center shut down in November.

Central American families seeking asylum in the United States may be freed from detention centers after a recent court ruling.

A federal district judge in Washington D.C. issued an injunction Friday that prevents the Department of Homeland Security from detaining immigrant families on the basis that it deters future illegal border crossings.

The injunction is in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union that argues DHS policy is unconstitutional.

Hundreds of women and children, most from Central America, are currently being held in detention centers around the country. Some are asylum seekers who have passed "credible fear" interviews, the first important step in the asylum process.

Because of the injunction those immigrants may be eligible for release while their case is pending in court.

As of Tuesday afternoon DHS had not filed a response to the injunction.