In a sudden reversal, the Trump administration has reinstated federal funding for legal aid organizations supporting unaccompanied migrant children facing deportation. This decision follows widespread outcry after the Department of Interior issued a stop-work order halting services to approximately 26,000 vulnerable minors earlier this week.
The February 18 directive had forced groups like the Acacia Center for Justice and Kids in Need of Defense to suspend all deportation defense activities.
To expect a five- or six-year-old to navigate immigration proceedings in a foreign language is virtually impossible,emphasized Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense, in an interview with ABC News.
New data reveals the scale of this crisis:
- 56% of unaccompanied minors lacked legal representation in 2023
- Thousands still face complex immigration hearings without counsel
While the funding restoration brings immediate relief, systemic gaps persist. Immigration courts reported over 40% of migrant children represented themselves in 2023 – a statistic legal experts call alarming given the technical nature of immigration law.
The Department of Interior’s abrupt policy shift highlights ongoing tensions in migrant protection programs. Advocacy groups warn that inconsistent support jeopardizes due process rights for minors fleeing violence and poverty.