US migrant children face immigration court without lawyers as legal aid funding dries up

In Louisiana, a one-year-old toddler accompanied by his 17-year-old mother appeared in immigration court, sobbing and throwing a toy that nearly struck a prosecutor. The court instructed the infant and his mother to apply for asylum. Roxana Avila-Cimpeanu, deputy director of a group providing legal support for unaccompanied minors, witnessed this distressing scene, describing the child as being expected to file her own application while dealing with the trauma of being a detained young mother.

President Donald Trump's administration has drastically reduced funds for organizations that have historically assisted unaccompanied minors, resulting in the use of under-equipped and unqualified substitutes. Democratic lawmakers have expressed grave concerns that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) would entrust vulnerable children with organizations clearly unqualified for the task.

The administration's aggressive deportation policies aim to expedite the removal of undocumented immigrants, often employing controversial tactics and contractors.

In July 2026, the government allowed a contract with the Acacia Centre for Justice to expire, which managed a network of approximately 100 organizations providing legal services to unaccompanied migrant minors. ORR attempted to hand these cases over to the Burke Law Group and Our Rescue, but both withdrew their bids due to concerns raised in Congress about the use of federal funds. Avila-Cimpeanu expressed frustration that children's legal protections are now being used as political pawn for deportation efforts.

Despite the challenges, organizations like the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) continue to provide legal orientation, consultations, and representation at immigration hearings. However, the limited resources and expertise of these organizations pose significant obstacles for the thousands of children seeking safety in the United States.