In 1985, this class action lawsuit was filed to address the egregious harms and abysmal conditions faced by immigrant children in federal custody. The case was settled in 1997 and portions of the Settlement Agreement remain under the supervision of a California federal court.

The Flores Settlement Agreement establishes national minimum standards for the treatment and placement of children and youth in federal immigration (Department of Homeland Security and Office of Refugee Resettlement) custody. The Settlement establishes a policy favoring the release of youth. With limited exceptions, the Settlement requires the government to place unaccompanied children in non-secure facilities that are state-licensed to care for dependent children. It also requires that children who remain in federal custody be placed in the least restrictive environment and mandates provision of certain services.

Throughout the years, the Young Center has filed amicus briefs and declarations in support of the plaintiff class to ensure that the government complies with its legal obligations to meet minimum standards of care for children in federal custody and protect children in custody from harm. 

More about the case can be found on the National Center for Youth Law’s website.

• Flores Settlement Agreement: Filed 1997
  • Young Center (with partner organizations) Amicus Brief
     Filed 8/30/19
  • Young Center (with partner organizations) Amicus Brief, 9^th Circuit
     Filed 1/28/20
  • Young Center Declaration
    Filed 8/14/20
  • Young Center Declaration
    Filed 5/31/24
  • Young Center (with partner organizations) Amicus Brief, 9^th Circuit
    Filed 1/28/26