19 States Sue Over Indefinite Detention Of Migrant Kids

The Associated Press reports:

Nineteen states sued on Monday over the Trump administration’s effort to alter a federal agreement that limits how long immigrant children can be kept in detention. “We wish to protect children from irreparable harm,” California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said as he announced the lawsuit he is co-leading with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. Both are Democrats.

A 1997 agreement known as the Flores settlement says immigrant children must be kept in the least restrictive setting and generally shouldn’t spend more than 20 days in detention. A judge must OK the Trump administration’s proposed changes in order to end the agreement, and a legal battle is expected from the case’s original lawyers. Becerra argued California has a role to play in the case because the state is home to so many immigrants.