A federal judge in California has ruled that the Trump administration must temporarily restore legal aid to thousands of unaccompanied migrant children. The ruling, which comes as part of ongoing litigation, halts the government’s termination of a contract with the Acacia Center for Justice.
Legal Setback for Trump Administration
On March 21, the Trump administration ended its contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, which had provided legal services to unaccompanied migrant children.
The centre worked with a network of subcontractors to deliver critical legal aid, but the abrupt termination left thousands of vulnerable minors without representation.
In response, a group of eleven subcontractors, representing 26,000 young people, filed a lawsuit, arguing that the government had violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008.
This law mandates that the government ensures children who enter the country alone receive legal counsel to protect them from mistreatment and exploitation. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, issuing a temporary restraining order.
The judge cited concerns that the administration had possibly violated the law by discontinuing legal aid services. The order, effective from April 1, will remain in place until mid-April, providing a temporary reprieve for the affected children.
Impact on Migrant Children and Legal Challenges
The court’s decision is part of a broader legal challenge concerning the treatment of migrant children in the U.S. immigration system. Unaccompanied minors face significant challenges navigating the complexities of immigration law, often due to their age, trauma, or lack of English proficiency.
Legal experts argue that ensuring proper legal representation for these children is essential for fairness and efficiency within the immigration process.
The ruling comes at a time when the Trump administration has faced several setbacks related to its immigration policies. It follows other recent court decisions blocking parts of the administration’s immigration agenda, including a ruling from a Boston court that granted individuals facing deportation the right to challenge their removal.
Another ruling from San Francisco temporarily halted the end of protections for Venezuelan migrants. Despite the temporary nature of the decision, advocates for migrant children have praised the ruling. They assert that it upholds the rights of vulnerable minors and ensures that the government continues to meet its obligations under the 2008 law.
The Justice Action Center, which is representing the plaintiffs, has argued that the administration’s move to halt funding without a clear alternative plan left the children at risk of being unfairly processed through the system.
