U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed in a court filing that hundreds of immigrant children were held in detention for periods exceeding the legal limit during the summer months. This admission has prompted alarm among legal advocates who argue that the government is failing to adequately protect the welfare of these vulnerable children.

The court filing, submitted on December 1, disclosed that approximately 400 immigrant children were detained for more than the 20-day limit established by the Flores Settlement Agreement, a policy enacted in the 1990s to ensure that children are kept in safe and sanitary conditions. The Trump administration has previously sought to terminate this agreement, raising further concerns about the treatment of detained minors.

ICE's report indicated that the prolonged detention of these children was not limited to specific regions or facilities, with delays attributed to transportation issues, medical needs, and legal processing. However, legal advocates contend that these reasons do not constitute lawful justifications for the extended detentions, citing instances where children were held for significantly longer periods, including five children who were detained for 168 days earlier in the year.

The use of hotels for temporary detention, permitted by federal court for up to 72 hours, has also faced scrutiny. Attorneys have questioned the government's data regarding the duration of stays in hotels, suggesting that it may not accurately reflect the circumstances of the children’s detentions.

Conditions at detention facilities have been a persistent concern, particularly following the reopening of the family detention site in Dilley, Texas. Reports from advocates have documented injuries among children and inadequate access to medical care. For instance, one child with an eye injury was not seen by medical staff for two days, and another child suffered a broken foot due to staff negligence. Additionally, complaints have been made about the quality of food provided, with reports of children receiving meals containing worms.

A hearing is scheduled for next week before Chief U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee of the Central District of California, who may determine whether the court needs to take action in response to these findings.