The Trump Administration has restored a legal representation program for unaccompanied minors in immigration courts, which was briefly halted. The Acacia Center for Justice will continue to provide legal aid to approximately 26,000 vulnerable children who have faced severe hardships such as abuse and trafficking. Leaders in the legal community express support for the reinstatement, emphasizing the importance of upholding due process rights. However, there are concerns about the long-term funding of this initiative, especially in light of President Trump's recent executive order to restrict federal benefits for undocumented immigrants.
"We welcome the news," said Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center for Justice. "We will continue working alongside the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that these critical services upholding the basic due process rights of vulnerable children are fully restored and our partners in the legal field - legal lifelines safeguarding the rights and well-being of children seeking safety - can resume their work without future disruption or delay."
The program provides legal representation to about 26,000 children, some too young to read or speak. Many of those children survived abuse, persecution or trafficking and are in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
The decision came after supporters flooded Congress members with letters of support. But advocates worry the program may eventually lose funding, as the administration continues to strip away support from immigrants in the country without status.
President Donald Trump signed Wednesday an executive order aimed at cutting off undocumented immigrants from any federal benefits. The order directs the Department of Government Efficiency and the Office of Management and Budget to identify in the next 30 days federal funding that is spent on those here illegally.
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