Trump administration halts legal aid for migrant children—Here’s what it means

Washington: The Trump administration has suspended legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court, leaving thousands without legal representation as they fight deportation.

The Acacia Center for Justice, which operates the legal aid programme under a federal contract, said the Interior Department issued a stop-work order on Tuesday. The agency provided no reason for the decision, only stating that it was due to "causes outside of your control" and should not be seen as a reflection of poor performance. The halt is in effect until further notice.

Thousands impacted by funding suspension

Acacia says it serves 26,000 migrant children through a network of 85 organisations across the country. The programme provides crucial legal assistance to minors under 18 who enter the US alone. Without it, many will have to navigate complex immigration proceedings on their own.

Federal officials from the Interior Department and the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees unaccompanied migrant children, have not responded to requests for comment on the suspension.

Legal aid cuts spark outcry

The decision follows a similar move by the Justice Department, which briefly halted funding for other legal aid contracts that provide information and guidance to individuals facing deportation. The funding was later restored after advocacy groups filed lawsuits.

Under US law, individuals facing deportation can hire private attorneys at their own expense, but the government does not provide legal counsel. Immigrant rights organisations warn that the most vulnerable—young children—will suffer the most from the funding cut.

Christine Lin, director of training and technical assistance at the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, called the decision "absurd and deeply unjust." She said, "expecting a child to represent themself in immigration court absurd and deeply unjust."

The affected legal aid contract is valued at $200 million, and its suspension has raised concerns over due process for migrant children. Advocacy groups continue to push for the restoration of funding, warning that without legal support, thousands of children could face deportation without a fair hearing.

(With inputs from AP)