Harlingen, Texas — Advocates express concern that many migrant children who arrived in the U.S. alone may soon lose legal representation in immigration proceedings as a federal contract with legal service providers is set to expire. This change could significantly heighten the risk of deportation for these vulnerable individuals.

Contract Expiration Raises Concerns Over Legal Support

The expiration of the contract happens on Friday, halting the funding that allows nearly 100 legal organizations to provide services to approximately 20,000 unaccompanied minors. These groups currently visit government-funded shelters to inform children about their legal rights and offer representation during court proceedings.

Melissa Lopez, executive director of Estrella El Paso, noted that it is unclear what will happen when the contract expires. Lopez’s organization represents over 240 unaccompanied minors and has highlighted concerns regarding continued access to clients and legal resources. “We have no understanding of what’s going to happen to those children come next week,” she said.

Without legal counsel, many children face a greater likelihood of being deported back to their countries of origin, which they fled due to various hardships. Lopez posits that this could be a calculated move by the government as they aim to streamline deportation processes.

Health and Human Services, responsible for overseeing unaccompanied migrant children in federal care, did not comment on the contract’s expiration or future plans for legal representation.

In a Harlingen immigration court, children awaited their hearings while their lawyers expressed anxiety about the impending loss of legal services. Lauren Fisher Flores, an attorney with the American Bar Association’s ProBar project, indicated that lawyers could no longer provide crucial legal information sessions post-contract expiration. “We sincerely hope there will be someone to step in next week,” she stated.

Additionally, many organizations supporting these children are experiencing significant financial strain due to delayed payments from the federal government. Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center, mentioned that this has led to layoffs and furloughs across various legal groups.

Some organizations have started to seek private funding to sustain their operations, while others have ruefully announced layoffs. For instance, Mid-South Immigration Advocates has reported being owed over $500,000 in reimbursements. Without financial support, they risk closing their doors entirely, affecting over 400 unaccompanied minors they assist.

Migrant children in the U.S. are typically afforded protections under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, which calls for facilitated legal representation and placement in the least restrictive environment while their cases are reviewed.

Why It Matters: The expiration of legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children poses significant implications for their future in the U.S., raising concerns regarding their deportation risks and legal protections. As these children navigate a complex immigration system, the absence of legal representation could alter their lives dramatically during critical processes.