Federal Judge Scales Back Oversight of Migrant Children in Custody

New regulations by Health and Human Services Department replace parts of the 27-year-old Flores settlement agreement.

• U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee approved the Biden administration's request to end special court supervision at HHS facilities.
• The new HHS regulations include an independent ombudsman’s office and minimum standards for temporary shelters.
• Lawyers for migrant children opposed the change, citing insufficient regulatory frameworks in states like Texas and Florida.
• The judge maintained that lawyers could still access information and meet with children in HHS custody.
• The decision does not affect Border Patrol holding stations run by the Department of Homeland Security.

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