A federal judge in Los Angeles has ruled that children from the US’ three family detention centres have to be released. The ruling cites the severity of the coronavirus pandemic as one of the factors for reaching such a decision. The decision comes as children in family detention centres have tested positive for the virus. For example, in family facility in Karnes City, Texas, 11 children have tested positive.  

The order applied to children who have been held in detention centres for more than 20 days, on June 8 there were about 124 children living in the detention centres.  

Judge Dolly M. Gee wrote in her decision that "the family residential centers are on fire and there is no more time for half measures.” The children must be released either with their parents or with the consent of their parents that they can be released to suitable guardians.  

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