Trump administration cuts legal aid for migrant children facing deportation
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A U.S.-born toddler sits on her mother’s lap as Nora Sandigo explains migrants’ legal rights and preparations for possible deportation in Homestead, Fla., Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo)
Washington: The Trump administration has halted support for legal representation in immigration court for unaccompanied children, dealing a significant setback to minors facing deportation without the means to afford a lawyer. The decision, announced on Tuesday, affects thousands of migrant children who enter the United States alone.
The Acacia Center for Justice, which provides legal aid to 26,000 migrant children under a federal contract, confirmed receiving a stop-work order from the Interior Department. The department did not offer an explanation beyond citing "causes outside of your control" and clarified that the decision should not be seen as a reflection of the program's performance. The halt will remain in effect until further notice.
Neither the Interior Department nor the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees unaccompanied migrant children, responded to requests for comment on the decision. The Acacia Center runs its legal aid program through a network of 85 organizations nationwide, offering representation to minors under 18.
This move follows a recent decision by the Justice Department to briefly suspend support for other legal aid contracts assisting people facing deportation. That funding was later restored after advocacy groups filed lawsuits.
Under U.S. law, individuals facing deportation are allowed to hire private attorneys but are not provided government-funded legal representation. Organizations that rely on federal contracts to represent children argue that the decision to suspend funding will disproportionately harm the most vulnerable.
"Expecting a child to represent themself in immigration court is absurd and deeply unjust," said Christine Lin, director of training and technical assistance at the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies.
The halted contract, valued at $200 million, underscores growing concerns about the lack of legal support for migrant children as they navigate complex immigration proceedings. Advocacy groups warn that without legal representation, many children will be at greater risk of deportation without fully understanding their rights or legal options.
With PTI inputs