Washington, D.C. – Late last week, the Trump administration announced it would cancel federal contracts to organizations that provide legal representation for approximately 26,000 unaccompanied immigrant children across the country. The Trump Administration ordered that more than 100 nonprofit organizations who support immigrant children navigating the immigration system without a parent or guardian immediately cease their work. This news comes just two weeks after the Trump Administration also revived family detention in the U.S.
In response to this news, United We Dream released the following statement:
“Endangering children’s lives is unconscionable. Following the disgraceful legacy of its family separation policy, now the Trump Administration is forcing children to represent themselves alone in court and against a trained government attorney. Without legal representation, the federal government is setting children up to be rapidly deported and increasing the threats of them being abused, trafficked and even killed. Access to legal counsel and a fair immigration process should be standard for everyone, including children. We demand funding for this vital program be reinstated immediately so that every immigrant child receives the legal support they need, and we urge elected officials at every level of government speak out against this blatant assault on children’s and immigrants’ rights.”
