New Mexico AG Sues Over Teen Ordered to Cross Mexico Border Alone
New Mexico Attorney General files lawsuit demanding return of teen and blocking future court-less reunifications.
POLICY WIRE — Santa Fe, NM — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas has filed a lawsuit against federal authorities over the case of a teenager who was instructed to cross into Mexico alone to reunite with their family. The lawsuit seeks the immediate return of the child and aims to prevent similar future reunifications without court approval.
The legal action comes after reports surfaced that the teenager, whose identity remains undisclosed for privacy reasons, was directed by immigration officials to make the perilous journey across the border without adult supervision. The lawsuit alleges that this action violated both state — and federal laws designed to protect unaccompanied minors.
“The safety and well-being of children must always be the top priority in immigration proceedings,” Balderas stated in a press release. “No child should ever be forced to make such a dangerous journey alone.”
The lawsuit names several federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security — and U.S. Immigration — and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as defendants. It argues that these agencies failed to adhere to established protocols that require court oversight for the reunification of unaccompanied minors with their families.
This case has drawn attention to the broader issue of how federal agencies handle the reunification of migrant families separated at the border. Advocates for immigrant rights have long argued that current policies often place children in unnecessary danger.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for ICE stated that the agency is committed to ensuring the safety of all individuals in its custody and will review the allegations carefully. However, the spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the case due to ongoing litigation.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for future immigration policies and the handling of unaccompanied minors at the border. It underscores the ongoing debate over how best to balance enforcement with humanitarian concerns in immigration proceedings.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
