Advocacy Groups Sue HHS Over Termination of Legal Aid for Migrant Children

The lawsuit seeks to block $200 million in funding cuts, which leave 26,000 unaccompanied minors without legal representation in immigration courts.

The Trump administration's decision to cut federal funding for legal aid programs supporting unaccompanied migrant children has prompted a lawsuit filed on March 27, 2025.
Advocacy groups are asking a federal judge to issue an injunction to prevent the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing the funding cuts.
The termination of funding affects programs that collectively served over 26,000 children, leaving many without access to legal representation in immigration proceedings.
Critics argue the cuts jeopardize the rights of vulnerable children, increase risks of exploitation, and exacerbate the immigration court backlog, which is already at a record high.
The funding cuts coincide with the reinstatement of expedited docketing for unaccompanied minors, further complicating their ability to navigate the legal system.