Trump Administration Ends Legal Aid for Unaccompanied Migrant Children

The termination of a $200 million contract leaves 26,000 children without legal representation in immigration courts, raising concerns about due process and child welfare.

The Trump administration officially terminated a $200 million federal contract that provided legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children on March 21, 2025.
The decision leaves approximately 26,000 children without legal aid in immigration courts, with only 'Know Your Rights' presentations remaining funded.
Advocacy groups warn that the move undermines protections under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 and increases risks of deportation and exploitation for vulnerable children.
The government justified the termination as 'for the Government's convenience,' while critics describe it as harmful and a collapse of critical support systems.
Legal aid organizations are seeking alternative funding to continue representing children, but the future of this support remains uncertain.