MIAMI — In a sudden turnaround, the federal government announced on Friday that various legal organizations assisting unaccompanied migrant children can continue their work, just days after initially instructing them to cease operations. Many of these children are very young, with some still in diapers or barely able to sit in court without their feet dangling.
The Acacia Center for Justice confirmed that they received notice from the government allowing them to resume legal services for tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors. This announcement followed a Tuesday decision to pause a program dedicated to providing legal representation to minors who enter the United States from Mexico without parents or legal guardians. Numerous organizations offering support to these children criticized the halt, emphasizing that it placed these vulnerable minors at increased risk.
Around 26,000 children are expected to receive legal representation through this $200 million contract, with an additional 100,000 set to gain access to legal education. A short notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior, which indicated the program’s reinstatement, did not detail the reasons behind the Trump administration’s reversal. It merely stated that the previous order to suspend legal services had been canceled.
Acacia’s executive director, Shaina Aber, expressed optimism about working closely with the government to restore essential services that uphold the basic rights of these vulnerable children. However, she also cautioned that it was crucial to ensure that no child has to face the complicated immigration system without support.
Public advocacy played a significant role in this reversal, with over 15,000 letters sent to Congress within just 48 hours urging the restoration of the program. This initiative stems from a five-year contract, which requires annual renewal evaluations by the government. The deadline for a renewal decision for this year is set for March.
Despite the good news, Michael Lukens, the executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, one of the subcontractors involved, expressed ongoing concern. He highlighted that the attack on the rights of children is unprecedented and troubling, noting the potential consequences had the stop-work order remained active, which could have denied due process and essential protections.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 established specific protections for unaccompanied children entering the U.S., stipulating that the government should facilitate legal representation for those facing deportation proceedings, though it does not require every minor to have legal counsel.
Children under 18 arriving alone can pursue various legal avenues, including asylum, juvenile immigration status, or visas due to sexual exploitation. Legal organizations applauded the decision to restore program funds, emphasizing the importance of these protections for vulnerable youth.
Wendy Young, president of the Kids in Need of Defense—an organization dedicated to helping migrant children—urged the administration to continue its commitment by fully utilizing the remaining year of services under the current contract.
