In a significant legal decision, a federal judge intervened to prevent U.S. immigration authorities from administering psychotropic medications to unaccompanied minors without proper consent. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Emily Carter, revealed alarming practices occurring at a facility in Texas, where officials were reportedly giving these drugs to children without the necessary permission from either the kids or their parents.
The judge mandated that immigration officials must now obtain parental consent or a court order before providing psychotropic medication to minors. Additionally, Judge Carter ordered the relocation of most children from the facility known as the Lone Star Treatment Center, where these practices were reported to have taken place.
Officials had claimed that medication was only administered in emergencies—situations where children posed a risk to themselves or others. However, Judge Carter noted that testimonies from the children contradicted this assertion, revealing that some were receiving medication regularly, sometimes up to twice a day. “It could not have been an emergency if medications were dispensed on a set schedule,” Carter stated.
Children recounted experiences of not being informed about the medications they were given, often suffering from side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and weight gain. Those who resisted taking the drugs faced extended detention or were subjected to forced injections. “I saw staff forcefully administer medication multiple times,” one child testified. “Two staff members held down a girl while a doctor gave her one or two injections.”
Another child, who had been prescribed several psychotropic medications without her mother’s consent, reported experiencing severe side effects such as shaking and loss of balance, despite her mother being reachable.
The Lone Star Treatment Center has a concerning history of allegations regarding child mistreatment, including excessive physical restraints and even deaths of minors in its care. Since 2013, this facility has been contracted by the federal government to house unaccompanied minors who have crossed into the U.S. More recently, it became a site for children separated from their parents under the previous administration’s strict immigration policies. Reports indicate that children have faced harsh conditions, including having their private calls monitored and experiencing physical force for minor infractions.
This situation highlights a grave injustice against vulnerable children, drawing attention from advocates and the public alike. The world is observing how we treat these minors, and the implications of these actions cannot be overlooked.
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In summary, a federal court ruling has put an end to the unauthorized administration of psychotropic drugs to migrant children by U.S. immigration officials, following shocking testimonies that revealed systemic abuse at a Texas facility.
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