Thousands of migrant children in the US could face new deportation risks as legal aid deal expires
The nonprofit says 26,000 children could be left without counsel as providers warn of unpaid work and staff cuts.
- A federal contract from the HHS funding legal representation for roughly 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children expires today, leaving advocates concerned about the future of legal services for minors in United States care.
- The Trump administration has withheld over $65 million in congressionally appropriated funding since late last year, forcing nonprofit advocacy groups to trim operations and refuse new clients as part of broader deportation efforts.
- Advocates warn that "fewer than 1% of immigrant children are granted immigration relief" without counsel, forcing minors to navigate complex court proceedings alone.
- Service providers, including Acacia Center for Justice, report they "do not know who, if anyone, will take over the work" when the contract expires, creating uncertainty for 20,000 children.
- This expiration occurs as Trump intensifies mass deportation policies, while critics point to a record of mistreating unauthorized immigrant children through detention in facilities reportedly plagued by abuse allegations.
148 Articles
148 Articles
Guest Commentary: Immigrant kids deserve to keep their lawyers
The Trump administration has jettisoned the way thousands of immigrant children receive legal help. Federal officials claim it's a contract dispute. That's a convenient excuse for their moral failure.
Children Face Immigration Judges Alone as Trump Admin Fast-Tracks Deportations of Minors
At immigration court for detained children in New York City on Wednesday, a boy named Diego represented himself in front of the judge, Lisa Ling. “I don’t know how to do it,” said Diego, referring to the asylum application that Ling asked him to fill out in English. “I don’t know if you can help me fill it out.” Diego’s face was hidden as he looked down and away from a web camera aimed at his head. The boy, whose age is unknown, had repeatedly …
Migrant kids, facing deportation, take on the US government alone in immigration court
Families arrive for a court hearing in immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on July 31, 2026, in New York City. A contract for legal services briefly expired, leaving many unaccompanied minors without the assistance of counsel. [ more › ]
Louisiana Illuminator
Legal services contract expires, and unaccompanied immigrant children face deportation
A 10-year-old Honduran immigrant who came into the United States as an unaccompanied minor carries her baby cousin on April 25, 2021, after reuniting with extended family in Sellersburg, Indiana. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — More than 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children Monday lost their legal representation because the Trump administration has not entered into a new agreement to take over their legal services after it let…
Arizona Mirror
Unaccompanied immigrant children face deportation after legal services agreement expires
A 10-year-old Honduran immigrant who came into the United States as an unaccompanied minor carries her baby cousin on April 25, 2021, after reuniting with extended family in Sellersburg, Indiana. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) WASHINGTON — More than 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children Monday lost their legal representation because the Trump administration has not entered into a new agreement to take over their legal services after it let…
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