Attorney General Bondi claims Flores decree incentivizes illegal immigration

The Trump administration is taking steps to dissolve the Flores Consent Decree, a longstanding agreement that has governed the detention and release of migrant children since 1997. The motion, filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Homeland Security, aims to terminate the decree, claiming that it is incentivizing illegal immigration at the southern border.

Attorney General Pam Bondi asserts that the Flores decree, originally implemented as a temporary measure almost 30 years ago, is now outdated and no longer serves its intended purpose. Bondi argues that the decree has become a hindrance to the administration’s efforts to enforce a strict immigration policy that puts American interests first.

The motion to dissolve the Flores decree is set to be heard at a July 18 hearing before US District Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles. Judge Gee has presided over the case for years, and it is expected that she may not be in favor of terminating the decree. This could potentially lead to a legal battle that may escalate to the federal appeals court and ultimately the Supreme Court.

The DOJ’s filing states that the government seeks to put the power back into the hands of elected officials in Washington, rather than allowing a single federal judge in California to dictate immigration policy. The motion argues that the circumstances surrounding immigration have changed significantly since the decree was first established, and it is no longer in the public interest to continue its enforcement.

The filing highlights the fact that the Flores decree has limited the government’s ability to respond effectively to evolving immigration challenges, such as surges in illegal border crossings and changes in the demographics of migrants arriving at the border. It emphasizes the need for a more flexible and adaptable approach to immigration policy that is not constrained by a decades-old agreement.

Despite previous attempts by administrations to free themselves from the constraints of the Flores decree, the agreement has remained a dominant force in shaping immigration policy for over two decades. The Trump administration’s latest efforts to dissolve the decree reflect its commitment to implementing a more robust and effective immigration enforcement strategy.

In conclusion, the motion to dissolve the Flores Consent Decree marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States. The outcome of the hearing before Judge Gee and any subsequent legal challenges could have far-reaching implications for the future of immigration enforcement and the treatment of migrant children at the southern border.