A federal judge has once again dealt a blow to the Obama administration’s immigration policies, ordering federal officials to promptly release children held at family detention facilities.
The judge, in a ruling released Friday evening, said that children should not be held for more than 72 hours unless they are a significant flight risk or a danger to themselves and others.
It’s unlikely that a mass release will happen right away, however.
Judge Dolly Gee in Los Angeles gave federal officials until Oct. 23 to comply with her order.
In a statement released Saturday, the Department of Homeland Security did not specify its next legal steps, saying only that it will “continue to screen family members’ claims as expeditiously as possible” and that it will review Gee’s decision and “consider available options with the Department of Justice.