The Trump administration has terminated a $200 million contract providing legal representation to approximately 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children, potentially forcing these vulnerable minors to navigate complex deportation proceedings without legal counsel.
The move, finalized [last Friday], has sparked outrage among legal and human rights advocates who argue it undermines due process and endangers children’s lives.
The now-canceled contract, administered by the National Acacia Center for Justice, supported a network of over 100 local legal service providers across the country. These organizations provided direct representation and “know your rights” presentations to children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
“This brazen, heartless act endangers children’s lives,” stated Ashley Harrington, Managing Attorney of the Children’s Program at the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN).
“Children cannot be expected to navigate the harsh and complicated immigration legal system without an attorney. This administration wants to force us to abandon them to face ICE and the immigration courts alone.”
Unlike in criminal cases, individuals facing deportation are not automatically entitled to government-funded legal representation. However, the U.S. government has previously contracted with organizations to provide legal aid to unaccompanied children, recognizing their unique vulnerability.
Some of the affected children are as young as two years old and have experienced severe trauma, abuse, or trafficking.
Critics say the decision is a “pincer move” to expedite deportations of vulnerable children. Attorneys are urging the Trump administration to reverse course.
“The administration’s decision to end these services undermines due process, disproportionately impacts vulnerable children, and puts children who have already experienced severe trauma at risk for further irreparable harm or exploitation,” Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center for Justice, said in a statement.
The Trump administration previously halted the program in February before formally canceling it. Attorneys can still appear on behalf of the children but will not be paid by taxpayers to do so
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