The Trump administration has abruptly halted a vital legal aid program that provided lawyers to nearly 26,000 immigrant children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Among these children, approximately 4,000 reside in California and face the looming threat of deportation without the support of parents or legal guardians in the country.
The Interior Department on Tuesday directed the Acacia Center for Justice, the coordinator of the federally funded program, to cease operations. The agency cited contracting rules as the reason for the suspension but did not elaborate on specific justifications.
\"Since taking office, the Trump administration has sought to weaken portions of the immigration system that support detainees,\" the report stated. It further noted that these orders coincide with actions by an administration advisory group, referred to by billionaire aide Elon Musk as the Department of Government Efficiency, which has been reducing federal workforce and eliminating programs that do not align with the administration's goals.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008 established special protections for unaccompanied minors arriving in the U.S., emphasizing the government's role in facilitating legal representation for children involved in deportation proceedings. However, the act does not mandate that every child receive a lawyer.
\"You have these kids who are thrust into this adult-like situation with very severe consequences,\" said Jennifer Podkul, vice president for policy and advocacy at Kids In Need of Defense. She highlighted that only about 50 percent of these children have legal representation in immigration court.
Experts warn that the absence of legal aid could result in children being trapped in the system or disappearing off the grid, with cases remaining unresolved.
Melissa L. Lopez, executive director of Texas-based Estrella del Paso, which receives funding through the suspended program, stated that her organization is legally and ethically obligated to continue assisting the estimated 2,000 children they represent. \"We will do what is best for our clients,\" Lopez affirmed. She also mentioned that her organization provides legal presentations in shelters to inform children of their rights but has been prohibited from continuing these efforts.
\"They will be expected to go to court alone and uninformed,\" Lopez added.
Reference(s):
Trump admin halts legal aid program for 26,000 immigrant children
cgtn.com
