ImmDef v. DHS (Unaccompanied Children)

Initially filed against the Trump administration, and now the Biden administration for denying  unaccompanied children previously subjected to the Migrant Protection Protocols program (MPP, also known as Remain in Mexico) their congressionally mandated protections under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). The federal government seeks to continue this dangerous and harmful practice in violation of the TVPRA while skirting transparency and accountability.

The plaintiffs are organizations who represent unaccompanied children: the Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) RAICES, ABA ProBar, and The Door. They are represented by ImmDef and Justice Action Center, with pro bono support from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. On November 7, 2023 the immigrant rights organizations went to a California federal district court for trial—nearly three years after the initial filing of the lawsuit, as a result of a last-minute attempt by the federal government to deny plaintiffs their day in court.

Press Releases:

Case Info

Court: Central District of California

Case No: 2:21-cv-00395

Date filed: 1/14/21

Judge(s): Olguin

 

Updates/PDFs:

10/31/23: Plaintiffs’ Trial Brief

10/31/23: Defendants’ Trial Brief

6/21/23: Diana Tafur’s Expert Declaration

6/21/23: Marion Donovan-Kaloust’s Expert Declaration

6/21/23: Dr. Minal Giri’s Declaration

5/27/21: Plaintiffs’ Opposition to Motion to Dismiss

5/13/21: Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss

2/12/21: Amended Complaint

1/14/21: Complaint

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