The Trump administration ended a contract on Friday that provided legal assistance to migrant children entering the country without a parent or guardian, raising concerns that these children will be forced to navigate the complex legal system alone.
The Acacia Center for Justice had a contract with the government to offer legal services to unaccompanied migrant children under 18, both by providing direct legal representation and by holding “know your rights” clinics to inform children crossing the border alone and staying in federal shelters.
Acacia announced on Friday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) informed them that nearly all of their legal services contract, which includes paying for lawyers for approximately 26,000 children when they appear in immigration court, would be terminated. However, they are still contracted to conduct legal orientation sessions.
“It’s very concerning because these children will be left without critical support,” said Ailin Buigues, who oversees Acacia’s program for unaccompanied children. “They are often in a highly vulnerable position.”
Unlike criminal courts, individuals in immigration proceedings do not have a guaranteed right to legal representation, although they can hire private attorneys.
However, there has been recognition that children navigating the immigration system alone are particularly at risk. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 provides special protections for children arriving in the U.S. without a parent or guardian.
Emily G. Hilliard, a deputy press secretary at HHS, responded in a statement that the department “continues to meet the legal requirements established” by the Act and a legal settlement that outlines how children in immigration custody should be treated.
The termination of the contract comes just days before it was set to be renewed on March 29. About a month ago, the government temporarily suspended the legal services provided by Acacia and its subcontractors, but shortly after, HHS reversed that decision.
The contract is part of a five-year agreement, with the government having the option to decide whether to renew it at the end of each year.
A letter detailing the termination, obtained by The Associated Press, stated that the contract was being ended “for the Government’s convenience.”
Michael Lukens, executive director of Amica, one of Acacia’s subcontractors in the Washington, D.C. area, said that with the renewal date approaching, they had anticipated a possible outcome like this. He emphasized that they would continue to assist as many children as possible “for as long as we can” and would challenge the termination.
“We’re doing everything we can, but we must be prepared for the worst-case scenario, where children will appear in court without legal representation across the country. This would lead to a complete breakdown of the system,” he said.
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