What to know about Guatemalan migrant children and efforts to send them home
September 1, 2025
The Trump administration has tried to deport Guatemalan children living in U.S. shelters or foster care. Advocates for these children filed lawsuits to stop the removals, and a federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportations. The administration says it’s reuniting children with families at the Guatemalan government’s request. However, advocates argue the process bypasses immigration courts and frightens the children. Legal cases are ongoing in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and Illinois. Guatemala has expressed willingness to receive children who want to return voluntarily. The exact number of children affected remains unclear.