The administration allows a $356 million annual contract providing legal representation for 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children to expire.
The administration announced the expiration of a longstanding federal contract that provides legal services for approximately 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children across the United States. This contract, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, has historically ensured that children entering the U.S. without a parent or guardian receive legal representation during deportation proceedings. Advocates warn that the loss of federally funded legal services will increase the risk of deportation for vulnerable children, who may struggle to navigate the complex immigration system alone. The administration has also been withholding payments to legal service providers for over six months, leading to some non-profits to lay off staff and shutter offices. While the administration has redoubled efforts toward mass deportations, the lack of clear plans for future representation remains a concern for legal groups. Some providers have already begun seeking private funding to maintain their services as the government moves forward with its immigration policy goals.