Mayor Rahm Emanuel released the following statement following last night's decision by Judge Dolly M. Gee of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, which denies the Trump Administration's efforts to amend the Flores settlement in order to engage in long-term detention of migrant children and eliminate all critical child welfare oversight currently being provided by state licensing agencies. The cities of Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco filed an amicus brief in support of the class of Flores plaintiffs, all of whom are migrant children, as they seek to defend against the Trump Administration's cruel and inhumane family separation policies. In her decision, Judge Gee quoted from and relied upon an argument made in the cities' amicus brief relating to our interest in the continued state licensing of residential facilities to reject the federal government's request for relief.

“Children and families seeking safety and a brighter future in America should not be detained or warehoused as criminals. President Trump’s family detention policy is cruel, unnecessary and unlawful. Chicago is proud to join the legal fight against it, and we commend Judge Gee for ruling to uphold the longstanding law that prohibits it. This ruling is a step back for President Trump’s reactionary policies, and a step forward for decency and justice.”

###