A federal judge ruled for the release of hundreds of detained immigrant women and children, another blow to the Obama administration as congressional lawmakers seek to alter immigration laws.

U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee said federal authorities violated provisions that were originally placed to restrict detention of immigrant minors, according to the Los Angeles Times. With approximately 1,700 immigrant parents and children detained in six U.S. detention facilities, Gee said the government has until Aug. 3 to explain to her how her ruling should not require the release of immigrants within 90 days of the ruling.

"It is astonishing that Defendants (U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Jeh Johnson) have enacted a policy requiring such expensive infrastructure without more evidence to show that it would be compliant with an Agreement that has been in effect for nearly 20 years or effective at achieving what Defendants hoped it would accomplish," wrote Gee, referring to a 1997 settlement that barred immigrant children from being detained in unlicensed, but secured, facilities.

"We are disappointed with the court's decision and are reviewing it in consultation with the Department of Justice," said DHS Press Secretary Marsha L. Catron in a prepared statement.

Gee's ruling comes as the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Democrats from the House Judiciary Committee prepare to hold a hearing about family detention on July 28. According to a statement made to Latin Post, Tuesday's hearing includes two formerly detained women, a whistleblower formerly employed at a detention center, and experts speaking on the developmental, psychological and legal implications of current detention policies.

The hearing includes Latino Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., and Luis Gutierrez, D-IL., who previously visited two detention centers in June with six other House Democrats.

"Americans who care about the fundamental dignity of all people can applaud this decision. The human rights crisis that brought these children to the United States should never have been compounded by detaining them in prison-like facilities that do not meet basic standards of human decency and respect," said Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who also visited a Texas immigrant detention center last month.

"I have always believed that America must be an example to the world, and, having visited one of these facilities myself, I can attest that they do not reflect the values our nation represents. This ruling will help ensure that our practices reflect our greatest principles," added Hoyer, who serves as the House Democratic Whip.

While the DHS is reviewing Gee's ruling, Johnson has repeatedly called for comprehensive immigration reform legislation. He has also touted the the department's new enforcement policies aimed to deprioritize the deportation of undocumented immigrants who committed "no serious crimes."

Despite the ruling, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal agency within the DHS, have continued to conduct immigration raids. Most recently in Navarro, Texas. As the Corsicana Daily Sun reported, ICE conducted a special enforcement operation with the assistance of local law enforcement agencies. According to ICE spokesman Carl Rusnok, the operation targeted individuals who have been convicted of a crime or crimes.

Danny Cendejas, an immigration campaign leader with the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), condemned ICE's operation, which Cendejas said instilled fear among immigrant families.

"ICE must stop asking local law enforcement to collaborate, and local law enforcement must stop sacrificing the community's trust to do ICE's dirty work," Cendejas said in a statement. "What is happening in Navarro County right now entirely contradicts the findings of the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing, which emphasizes that greater involvement of police in immigration enforcement has significantly heightened the fears and mistrust many Latinos have of the police."

Cendejas added, "TOP demands ICE release a list of people detained during these raids and the reason, for the sake of transparency and trust. Also, Navarro County Sheriff Elmer Tanner should apologize now for tearing apart families he was elected to protect. And all our state's sheriffs and police chiefs, including Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez, should immediately stop all collaboration with ICE."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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