Overview

• 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.