Reuniting separated families is '100 percent' the administration's job, not the ACLU's, judge rules

U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw on Friday rejected the Trump administration's Thursday proposal that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) do the legwork to locate migrant parents who were deported from the United States without their children.

"For every parent that is not located, there will be a permanently orphaned child, and that is 100 percent the responsibility of the administration," said Sabraw, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush. "I have to say it was disappointing in that there was not a plan proposed."

The whereabouts of about 500 parents who were separated from their children at the border remains unknown. Sabraw indicated he will issue an additional order soon to compel the administration to appoint someone to head up the reunification process and provide additional updates on the effort.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up