Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Civil Rights Groups Sue To Block 'Unconscionable' Policy That Would Allow Sick Immigrant Children To Be Deported
Civil rights groups sued President Donald Trump's administration Thursday over its decision to stop considering requests from immigrants seeking to remain in the country for medical treatment and other hardships. The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a lawsuit in Boston federal court challenging the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' decision to end its "deferred action" program as of Aug. 7. (9/5)
The suit 鈥渃hallenges the Trump administration鈥檚 abrupt termination of a longstanding government program [known as deferred action] that protects seriously ill people from deportation and death,鈥 the complaint said. 鈥淭he administration鈥檚 action is unconscionable. It is also illegal.鈥漈he plaintiffs want a judge to 鈥渄eclare the termination of USCIS鈥檚 deferred-action program unlawful and enjoin its enforcement,鈥 according to the complaint. The filing names President Trump; Ken Cuccinelli, the acting director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services; Kevin K. McAleenan, the acting Homeland Security secretary, and other officials as defendants. (Andersen, 9/5)
The Irish International Immigrant Center, which represents at least 19 cases that were denied in August without notice, is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of Homeland Security, arguing that the changes to medical deferred action were 鈥渕otivated by animus based on race and national origin and disability." (Solis, 9/5)
鈥淭he Trump administration is hellbent on causing as much suffering as possible for immigrant families,鈥 Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts,聽argued in a statement. 鈥淭his attack on children and their families is inhumane and unlawful. We will not stand for it: The ACLU and our partners are in this fight until all immigrants are treated with compassion, humanity, and justice.鈥 (Klar, 9/5)