Trump admin blocked from terminating legal aid for unaccompanied migrant minors
A federal judge in California has intervened to prevent the Trump administration from cutting off funding for legal representation for unaccompanied migrant minors. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of San Francisco, appointed by former President Joe Biden, issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday to halt the termination of funding while the underlying case is being litigated.
The Trump administration terminated a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice on March 21, which provides legal services for unaccompanied migrant children under 18 through a network of legal aid groups that subcontract with the center. Eleven subcontractor groups filed a lawsuit, arguing that 26,000 children were at risk of losing their attorneys. The subcontractor groups contended that the government has a legal obligation under a 2008 anti-trafficking law to provide vulnerable children with legal counsel.
In her ruling, Martínez-Olguín stated that advocates had raised valid concerns about whether the administration violated the 2008 law, necessitating a return to the status quo while the case progresses. She emphasized that funding legal representation for unaccompanied children promotes efficiency and fairness within the immigration system.
This recent ruling marks the third legal setback for the Trump administration’s immigration policies in less than a week. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 established special protections for migrant children who are unable to navigate the complex immigration system on their own. Plaintiffs argued that some of their clients are too young to communicate effectively, while others are too traumatized and do not speak English.
Defendants in the case, including the Department of Health and Human Services and its Office of Refugee Resettlement, contended that taxpayers are not obligated to cover the costs of direct legal aid for migrant children during a time when the government is aiming to reduce expenses. Acacia Center is now under a new contract with the government to provide legal orientations and “know your rights” clinics.
The plaintiffs clarified that they are not requesting the reinstatement of the terminated contract but rather a return to the previous state where $5 billion allocated by Congress ensures that children have legal representation. The court order will remain in effect until at least April 16, allowing for the continuation of funding for legal counsel for unaccompanied migrant minors.
Bradford Betz, a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and more, contributed to this report. The Associated Press also provided additional information for this article.
