Independent Adjudicator for Ms. L Settlement

On December 11, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California approved a class action settlement agreement in Ms. L. v. ICE, 18-cv-00428 (S.D. Cal.). This lawsuit relates to families who were apprehended together by the U.S. government at the U.S.-Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, but were then separated and kept apart. The provides for continued support to reunify families who are class members, sets forth standards to limit future separations, and provides certain non-monetary support to class members. Provisions of the Ms. L. settlement will remain in effect up to eight years after the effective date. Prior to the Ms. L. settlement on February 2, 2021, President Biden, by Executive Order 14011, established the Family Reunification Task Force (FRTF or Task Force), an Interagency Task Force to address “the human tragedy that occurred when our immigration laws were used to intentionally separate children from their parents or legal guardians (families), including through the use of the Zero-Tolerance Policy.” The Task Force’s three main objectives were: (1) to identify and reunite families who were separated because of the Zero-Tolerance Policy, and any related policies and practices; (2) to develop recommendations that prevent the U.S. Government from intentionally separating families ever again, unless specifically required by law for the well-being of the child; and (3) to explore options to provide legal status and funding for medical and trauma-related services for families that were separated. The Task Force was chaired by the Secretary of Homeland Security. The parties engaged in the lawsuit (Class Counsel and the Government) identified, agreed to, and stipulated to the Court for appointment the individual that will serve as independent adjudicator.