Lawsuit Targets Federal Cuts to Children’s Legal Aid
More than a dozen nonprofit legal groups have filed a lawsuit against the federal government to restore funding to a legal program for unaccompanied immigrant children. The Trump administration recently cut $200 million from the Unaccompanied Children Program, leaving over 26,000 minors without legal representation in immigration courts. The lawsuit, filed on March 26 in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, names the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Department of the Interior as defendants.
Advocates Warn of Severe Impact on Vulnerable Children
Plaintiffs argue the decision forces children, some as young as infants, to navigate immigration courts alone. Many do not speak English or understand legal procedures. “This is the most brazen attack on immigrant children since family separation,” said Sam Hsieh of Amica Center. The groups cite both the 2008 William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Act and a 2024 federal rule that mandates legal aid for migrant youth.
Cancellation Sparks Fears of Chaos in Immigration System
Advocates fear the funding cut will cause widespread disruption in the immigration legal system. They warn that unrepresented children will be fast-tracked for deportation without fully understanding their cases. Immigration judges, already strained by a backlog, will now bear the burden of explaining complex laws to children. The plaintiffs say the move violates both legal standards and common decency.
Human Rights Advocates Condemn Administration’s Move
Organizations, including Church World Service and Kids In Need of Defense, labeled the funding termination “unconscionable” and “an affront to justice.” Critics argue the administration’s decision increases children’s risk of exploitation and trafficking. “No child should be forced to represent themselves in court,” said Meredith Fortin of Church World Service.
Federal Response Raises Alarm About Long-Term Intentions
The administration’s first step was a stop-work order on February 18, which was later rescinded. Still, legal service providers fear annual contracts will not be renewed. A recent ICE memo outlining plans to track and deport these children intensified concerns. Critics say the administration’s policies are targeting vulnerable youth rather than protecting them.
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Trump codifies ‘brazen attack on immigrant children’ as groups sue to stop him
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