ICE asked migrant parents whether they wished to be separated from their children, agency tells court

One of them was labeled in spreadsheets as "Parent Does Not Wish to Separate."Friday's court filing indicates that migrant parents were recently asked, among other questions, whether they wished to be separated from their children, so the minors could be released to relatives or other sponsors.On Thursday, groups that provide legal services at the three family detention centers ICE oversees in Texas and Pennsylvania said their clients were asked, without their attorneys' knowledge, to choose between staying in detention indefinitely or allowing their children to be released to sponsors — without them. Prior to Friday's court filings, an ICE spokesperson said the agency had "not implemented what has been referred to as 'binary choice' at this time," and was instead "exploring all options" in response to federal litigation.ICE officials did not respond to a request to comment on Friday's filings.In one of the court filings Friday, a top ICE official said officers at the three family detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania conducted "parole determinations" for all the children in its custody in response to an order late last month by the federal judge overseeing litigation related to the Flores Settlement Agreement, which governs the care of migrant minors in U.S. custody. She also said officers did not ask parents to waive the rights their children have under the Flores agreement.Spreadsheets included with the filings show the agency only granted parole to five minors at the family detention center in Dilley, Texas.