Court blocks legal aid cuts—but uncertainty remains for nonprofits
A federal judge in California ordered the Trump administration to temporarily restore legal aid for migrant children in the United States without a parent or guardian. The decision halts the administration’s efforts to block nonprofits from taking on new cases. However, after the ruling, immigrant rights groups say they remain uncertain about what comes next.
The Trump administration terminated a $200 million contract with Acacia Center for Justice, a national network that supports human rights defenders who provide legal representation to immigrants at risk of deportation. This decision comes after a move to have immigration authorities track migrant children who entered the U.S. without their parents.
Previously, the contract funded legal orientations, pro bono representation, and assistance for children seeking asylum or other humanitarian relief. Without these services, many may face deportation without understanding their rights or options.
Northwest Immigrants Rights Project, a subcontractor with Acacia, was impacted. The organization represents unaccompanied children across the Pacific Northwest.
Kayley Bebber, the Unaccompanied Children’s Program’s Directing Attorney at Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, said this ruling does not fully restore the Unaccompanied Children’s Program contract as it existed before the cut.
“We have not received any further instruction about any portion of our contract being restored. So we will continue to wait. Hopefully, we will hear something soon,” said Bebber.
Bebber said children in immigration court are not guaranteed the right to appointed counsel. Without legal aid, many children are being forced to represent themselves in court.
Groups under the Acacia Center for Justice argue the federal government is legally obligated to provide legal representation for unaccompanied children under the protection of children under The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008. The law was designed to safeguard migrant children from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking by ensuring they have access to legal counsel.
Organizations like Northwest Immigrants Rights Project are still waiting for more guidance after the judge’s ruling.
Reneé Diaz may be contacted at Renee.diaz@wenatcheeworld.com. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and Murrow College of Communication Newsroom Fellowship.