The Trump administration announced on Friday the termination of a contract that offers legal assistance to migrant children who enter the country without a parent or guardian. Concerns have been raised that these children will now have to navigate the complex legal system on their own.
The Acacia Center for Justice, which contracts with the government to provide legal services to unaccompanied migrant children under 18, was informed of the termination by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This decision includes ending payment for lawyers for around 26,000 children when they appear in immigration court, although the legal orientation clinics will still be held.
Ailin Buigues, who leads Acacia’s unaccompanied children program, expressed concern over the lack of support for these vulnerable children. While individuals facing deportation do not have the same right to representation as those in criminal courts, there has been recognition of the unique vulnerability of children navigating the immigration court system alone.
Despite claims that legal requirements are being met according to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 and a legal settlement, the termination of the contract has sparked apprehension among providers and advocates. The termination letter cited convenience as the reason for ending the contract.
Providers like Amica in the Washington, D.C. area have vowed to continue assisting children for as long as possible and are exploring avenues to challenge the termination. The sudden end of the contract has been described as a potential collapse of the system, with children possibly having to appear in court without legal representation nationwide.
