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Judge Orders Voluntary Departure for Six Unaccompanied Migrant Kids

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 4:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Judge Lisa W. Ling presided over a Manhattan hearing of six unaccompanied migrant children.
All six minors, ages 13 to 17, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone, faced deportation, and had no lawyer.
Judge Ling asked a 15-year-old Guatemalan boy if he wanted voluntary departure; he said yes.
In Texas, a 7-year-old agreed to departure without a lawyer, while a 1-year-old in Arizona was ordered to file asylum.

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Story summary

Judge Lisa W. Ling presided over a Manhattan hearing of six unaccompanied migrant children.
All six minors, ages 13 to 17, crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone, faced deportation, and had no lawyer.
Judge Ling asked a 15-year-old Guatemalan boy if he wanted voluntary departure; he said yes.
In Texas, a 7-year-old agreed to departure without a lawyer, while a 1-year-old in Arizona was ordered to file asylum.