• U.S. court temporarily blocks deportation of 76 Guatemalan minors, citing legal concerns.
• Internal reports reveal many families did not request the return of their children.
• Minors describe traumatic experiences during attempted deportation.
• Guatemalan officials express alarm over the sudden expansion of deportation efforts.
• Legal representatives aim for a long-term halt to all similar deportations.

As dozens of Guatemalan minors were about to be deported from the United States, a federal court stepped in to temporarily block the removal, citing grave concerns for the children's safety. Immigration authorities were in the early stages of transporting 76 unaccompanied minors at 1:00 a.m. on August 31 when the emergency order was issued, which requires a 14-day halt on deportations pending further legal review, according to NPR.

During this chaotic period, many minors, who had already been placed on planes, exhibited extreme fear and distress. One 16-year-old described the moment they were informed of their potential deportation as "traumatic," illustrating the panic they felt when woken in the dead of night. Another minor called their mother only to hear her cry upon learning of the situation, highlighting the emotional toll on both children and families, reports ABC News.

A memo released by Guatemalan authorities further complicates the U.S. government's narrative, indicating significant opposition from the parents of the deported minors. According to a report from the Guatemalan attorney general's office, 59 out of 115 contacted families voiced anger and concern at the prospect of their children being returned. The report counters claims made by some U.S. officials that the deportations were requested by family members, thereby shedding light on the revisionist narrative surrounding the situation, as highlighted by Reuters.

While some families indicated they would accept their children back, none requested their return, and several were shocked by the sudden developments. For example, a family member expressed that if their daughter were sent back, they would do everything possible to get her out again due to prior death threats she received in Guatemala. These sentiments echo through many parental concerns about the safety and stability of their children, as noted in the memo referenced in ABC News.

This complex situation is unfolding as the U.S. government moves to repatriate minors, allegedly under a "Voluntary Return Program." Nevertheless, advocates argue that this approach undermines legal protections and disregards the minors' well-being. Legal representatives are prepared to leverage every available option to challenge the deportations and assert the minors' rights under U.S. immigration law, according to statements from attorneys involved in the case, as reported by NPR and Reuters.