A federal judge has ruled to restore funding for legal aid to unaccompanied migrant children, temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to cut the program’s funding. In her decision on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez Olguin acknowledged the financial impact on organizations providing legal representation to these children and granted temporary injunctive relief, citing the irreparable harm caused by the government’s actions. Judge Olguin emphasized that continuing to fund legal representation for migrant children is crucial for promoting efficiency and fairness within the immigration system. The ruling comes after several groups, receiving over $200 million in federal grants, were informed of the termination of their contracts, which included funding for legal representation and attorney recruitment for these children. Currently, 26,000 migrant children benefit from legal representation through this funding. Advocates have hailed the decision as a step in the right direction, emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable children regardless of political divides.
