A child occupies himself with screen time as his parents and other asylum seekers wait inside St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Manhattan Oct. 16, 2023 where they were seeking support from Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to asylum seekers. The organization provides a weekly orientation into the asylum process that includes assistance in filing asylum and temporary protected status applications. It also provides english classes, peer support groups, and humanitarian assistance including clothing and food distribution.
Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has terminated a critical contract that provides legal assistance to unaccompanied migrant children, leaving tens of thousands to navigate the complex immigration system alone.
The Acacia Center for Justice, which has long contracted with the federal government to provide legal representation and “know your rights” clinics for migrant children, was informed Friday that nearly all its legal services are being cut. The termination affects legal aid for approximately 26,000 children, many of whom are housed in federal shelters and face deportation proceedings without a parent or guardian.
“It’s extremely concerning because it’s leaving these kids without really important support,” said Ailin Buigues, who oversees Acacia’s unaccompanied children program. “They’re often in a very vulnerable position.”
The contract cancellation comes just days before it was up for renewal on March 29. While Acacia is still permitted to provide legal orientation clinics, the loss of direct representation leaves thousands of children at risk. Under U.S. immigration law, those facing deportation do not have the same right to government-appointed attorneys as defendants in criminal court.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees the program, defended the decision, stating that it continues to meet legal requirements established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 and a legal settlement dictating the treatment of migrant children in custody. However, the administration has not provided specific reasons for the contract’s termination beyond citing “the Government’s convenience,” according to a termination letter obtained by the Associated Press.
Advocates say the decision will have devastating consequences. Michael Lukens, executive director of Amica, one of the legal providers working with Acacia, described the move as a “complete collapse of the system.”
“We’re trying to pull every lever, but we have to be prepared for the worst, which is children going to court without attorneys all over the country,” Lukens said.
The termination follows a brief pause on Acacia’s legal services last month, which was quickly reversed by HHS. Now, with funding officially cut, providers are scrambling to assist as many children as possible before resources run dry.
The Acacia Center and its partners are exploring legal options to challenge the decision, but for now, thousands of migrant children may soon be left to navigate the complexities of immigration court without legal representation.
