Stop Trump From Taking Lawyers From Migrant Children

Migrant children are now being forced to appear in immigration court without lawyers — including children as young as one year old. And it could get much worse.

The federal contract that funded legal help for more than 20,000 unaccompanied children expired July 31. Legal-aid organizations across the country are preparing layoffs, shutting programs, and withdrawing from hundreds of children’s cases — just as the Trump administration accelerates their immigration proceedings.

Unaccompanied children are already facing one of the most intimidating legal systems in the country. Many are young, traumatized, separated from family, and trying to understand proceedings that can determine whether they are allowed to stay in the United States or sent away.

The legal-services network that helped those children understand their rights and defend themselves is falling apart as Trump ramps up more deportations. We have to fight back.

Tell Congress: Restore funding for legal services and stop the Trump administration from forcing children to face deportation proceedings alone.

A child should never have to stand alone in court against the federal government.

These children may have valid claims for asylum or other legal protections. But without qualified legal help, they can struggle even to understand what protections are available, much less gather evidence, meet deadlines, or make their case.

The government has lawyers. Immigration agencies have lawyers. Children facing deportation deserve someone in their corner, too.

Congress must restore funding for legal services and prevent the administration from dismantling a system designed to ensure vulnerable children have meaningful access to legal help.

The window to act is closing. Legal organizations are deciding now which programs they can keep open, which staff they can retain, and which children they can continue representing.

Add your name and tell Congress: Don’t let Trump force migrant children to face deportation proceedings alone. Restore their legal help now.

The petition to Congress reads:

“Restore and protect federal funding for independent legal services for unaccompanied migrant children facing immigration proceedings. No child should be forced to navigate a life-changing deportation case without qualified legal help.”