Contract Termination
The Trump administration terminated a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, which provided legal assistance to unaccompanied migrant children, leaving concerns about children facing the legal system without support.
The termination affects legal representation for approximately 26,000 children in immigration court, though contracts for "know your rights" clinics remain.
Legal and Humanitarian Implications
The move raises questions about compliance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008, which established special protections for vulnerable children arriving without a guardian.
Officials and advocacy groups express grave concerns over the potential for a "complete collapse of the system," with children possibly navigating courts without legal representation.