On Tuesday, the Trump administration issued an abrupt order halting all legal aid services for unaccompanied immigrant children, compelling government-funded attorneys across the nation to immediately cease their work. This decision has sparked widespread concern from advocates, who argue that cutting off these vital services puts vulnerable minors at greater risk, particularly of trafficking—a significant issue highlighted by the Trump administration and Republican leaders during the 2024 election campaign.
The directive, issued by the Department of the Interior, applies to U.S.-based non-profits that have been providing legal representation to approximately 26,000 unaccompanied minors. This immediate “stop-work” order affects organizations like the Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), the largest provider of legal services to unaccompanied children in Southern California, and the Acacia Center for Justice.
Yliana Johansen-Méndez, Chief Program Officer at ImmDef, expressed shock at the severity of the measure, noting that while cuts to these services were anticipated, no one expected such a drastic and immediate halt—especially for children already in government custody. The legal aid provided by these organizations has been crucial in protecting the rights of minors who are often survivors of abuse or trafficking.
Many of ImmDef’s clients are particularly vulnerable, ranging from infants to teenagers. Some have suffered abuse in their home countries, while others are victims of trafficking. Failure to provide legal representation could result in minors missing crucial hearings, potentially leading to expedited deportation orders. Lindsay Toczylowski, ImmDef’s President and CEO, criticized the decision, emphasizing that the government-funded program, which has been in place for two decades, was designed to protect the rights of vulnerable children. The removal of legal aid, she argued, would create chaos in immigration courts and undermine efforts to safeguard children’s welfare.
The Acacia Center for Justice also condemned the decision, with Executive Director Shaina Aber stating that it undermines efforts to provide child-friendly legal representation to those at risk of trafficking. “This decision flies in the face of ensuring children who have been trafficked or are at risk of trafficking have child-friendly legal representatives protecting their legal rights and interests,” Aber said.
Despite the government’s halt to funding, organizations like ImmDef have vowed to continue supporting their clients. Johansen-Méndez reaffirmed their commitment, stating, “We have professional obligations to these clients,” and that attorneys are bound by their oaths to ensure that the legal rights of children are not prejudiced.
This legal aid cut affects minors who presented themselves at the U.S. border without parents and are now under the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). ImmDef and other non-profits provide critical services to help these children seek reprieve from deportation while the ORR attempts to locate family members who can assume guardianship. Without legal representation, many minors may face court proceedings without a lawyer to advocate for their rights, leaving them at significant risk.
The move follows a similar decision by the Trump administration earlier this year to suspend legal aid for adults at risk of deportation. However, after a lawsuit was filed, the Department of Justice reinstated funding for adult legal aid programs in early February 2025. This legal back-and-forth highlights the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the provision of legal services for immigrants, both adults and minors.
The removal of legal aid for children is set to have profound consequences, especially for those at risk of being returned to dangerous or abusive conditions in their home countries. Advocates argue that this measure runs contrary to U.S. legal obligations to protect the rights and safety of unaccompanied minors.
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