She stated that the Flores Agreement is a “binding contract and a consent decree. It is a final, binding judgment that was never appealed.” The DHS and HHS “cannot simply ignore the terms of the dictates of the consent decree merely because they no longer agree with its approach as a matter of policy.”
“Defendants cannot simply impose their will by promulgating regulations that abrogate the consent decree’s most basic tenets. That violates the rule of law. And that this court cannot permit,” wrote Judge Gee.
Judge Gee denied the Trump administration’s motion to terminate the Flores Agreement. She also issued a permanent injunction to prohibiting the implementation or enforcement of the final rule.
A major victory for immigrant children
Under the Flores Agreement, the federal government must place minors in safe and sanitary facilities and provide them with drinking water, food and medical assistance and make a continuous effort toward family reunification. It must also release children within 20 days.
