The Trump administration is asking a California district judge to end court oversight of how the federal government cares for migrant children in its custody, the AP reports.
The request to a US district judge, filed Friday, comes weeks after the Health and Human Services Department published its own rule on safeguards, effective July 1, that Secretary Xavier Becerra said will set "clear standards for the care and treatment of unaccompanied (migrant) children."
In a motion filed in California federal court, the government argued that the court supervision has outlived its purpose and new regulations are a better solution to ensure the safety of children.
The 1997 Flores settlement was the result of over a decade of litigation between attorneys representing the rights of migrant children and the US government over widespread allegations of mistreatment in the 1980s.
The agreement set standards for the detention, treatment, and release of minors.
It mandates that migrant children be released without necessary delay to family, a child welfare program, or an adult seeking custody if family reunification is not possible.
If release is not possible due to safety concerns, the agreement says minors must be held in the least restrictive environment that is appropriate.
The Flores agreement also sets standards for how licensed shelters must provide food, water, adult supervision, emergency medical services, toilets, sinks, temperature control
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