The Trump administration’s recent decision to halt a key legal aid program has left thousands of unaccompanied migrant children vulnerable, as they now face the daunting challenge of navigating immigration courts without legal representation. The suspension, announced late Tuesday, orders the Acacia Center for Justice and its subcontractors to immediately stop work on a $200 million contract that had been providing critical legal services to migrant children arriving in the U.S. without parents or guardians.
According to immigration advocates, this action will disproportionately affect children as young as 2 years old, who are now expected to appear in court alone, without understanding the legal complexities of their cases. Daniela Hernandez, an immigration attorney providing pro bono services in Pasadena, California, expressed her concerns during a Wednesday news conference. Hernandez represents about 60 children and described how some of her clients face hearings as soon as Friday without legal representation. “What is this 2-year-old supposed to do without her attorney?” she asked. “Who will speak for her in court?”
The suspension of the legal aid contract leaves these vulnerable children with limited options for securing affordable legal guidance. The contract, which had provided direct representation for about 26,000 children, also offered legal advice to approximately 100,000 more through educational presentations in government shelters.
The cut follows a broader trend of diminishing legal support for immigrant children, even though U.S. law under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 recognizes their special vulnerability. While the law does not mandate legal representation for all children, it encourages the government to ensure they have access to legal counsel during deportation proceedings. Unaccompanied minors, many of whom are not proficient in English and require interpreters, often seek asylum or juvenile immigration status, but are now left to navigate the legal system without the necessary support.
At an immigration court hearing in San Diego on Wednesday, a 5-year-old girl from Mexico faced deportation proceedings without a lawyer. Despite the judge’s attempt to ease the situation by offering the girl some coloring books, she, along with her siblings, was left to navigate the complex immigration system alone. The family was unable to afford legal counsel, and with the suspension of the Acacia contract, their prospects for securing affordable representation are now even more limited.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not provide a clear explanation for the stop-work order but stated that it was a decision “outside of your control” and not a reflection of poor performance. The Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees migrant children, has not responded to inquiries regarding the program’s suspension.
Legal experts argue that this loss of representation puts migrant children at a severe disadvantage. Jennifer Podkul, vice president for policy at Kids In Need of Defense, pointed out that only 50% of children in immigration proceedings have legal representation. Without it, many children are left to fend for themselves in a system that is both complex and high-stakes, with their futures hanging in the balance.
As organizations that were once part of the Acacia network seek alternative solutions, the lack of a clear government response has left them scrambling to ensure that these children are not left off the grid. Some groups, such as Estrella del Paso in Texas, are pledging to continue representing children despite the funding cuts, emphasizing their ethical duty to protect the rights of vulnerable clients.
The situation remains fluid, with thousands of children now at risk of navigating a complex and often hostile immigration system without the support they desperately need. Legal advocates have called for an urgent reconsideration of these cuts, warning that the consequences will be felt for years to come.
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