Response Center
Real-time analysis of Trump-Vance administration actions, to support legal challenges and provide resources for the pro-democracy community.
The Trump-Vance Administration is trying to
Force babies, toddlers, and kids to represent themselves in immigration court
Let others know:
This memo cancels the government's contract to provide legal representation to represent unaccompanied migrant child in immigration court.
Cutting Funding for Legal Services for Unaccompanied Migrant Kids
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March 21, 2025
The Office of Refugee Resettlement is required to provide legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children in immigration proceedings, and Congress regularly appropriates money to pay for those services. This ensures that young children can't be deported without at least being represented by a lawyer. The Trump Administration canceled its contract with non-profit legal service providers who actually provide those services, however, leaving unaccompanied migrant kids -- including babies and toddlers -- to navigate the immigration court system on their own.
People are fighting back
How communities are responding
Democracy 2025 and our partners are ready to counter threats to people's rights, justice, and equality in courtrooms and communities across the country. Learn more about how people and communities are responding to this harmful policy:
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Help us counter unlawful, anti-democratic actions from the Trump-Vance administration and protect people, freedom, and justice.
