Future Uncertain: 24,000 Migrant Children Lose US Legal Aid
More than 24,000 children who entered the United States alone now face an uncertain future. A special government contract that gave them free legal help expired on Friday. Immigration advocates warn this change could lead to more children being deported.
The contract paid about 100 legal groups across the country. These groups provided legal services to children without a parent or guardian. They also had access to government-funded shelters where the children live. It is not clear if these legal groups can still enter the shelters.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has not explained why the contract was allowed to expire. The Department of Health and Human Services oversees these children. It did not answer questions about its future policy.
Melissa Lopez leads Estrella El Paso, a legal advocacy group. She said advocates do not know what will happen to the children next week. She added that the government has not named who will provide legal help now.
The Trump administration has been working to deport more people. Part of this plan is to speed up court cases. Advocates also claim the government held back payments to legal groups. At the same time, it asked for private information about the children.
Legal providers said they cannot share this information. It goes against their ethics. Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center, said the government’s actions hurt non-profit groups. He said many groups have already cut staff.
Laws like the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 protect these children. This law says the government must help children get legal representation in deportation cases. Children can also apply for special protection if they cannot safely return home. This applies if they faced abuse or neglect.
Two Democratic lawmakers from Pennsylvania, Chris Deluzio and Summer Lee, wrote a letter. They sent it to Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. of the US Health and Human Services and Angie Salazar, who leads the Office of Refugee Resettlement. They asked how the government will follow laws requiring legal services for children.
Summer Lee said many children have fled violence. She stated they should not have to appear in court alone.
