WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has rescinded a controversial stop-work order that had abruptly halted funding for organizations providing pro bono legal assistance to unaccompanied migrant children. The reversal, confirmed by a memo obtained by ABC News, comes after widespread backlash from immigration advocates and legal aid groups.
The memo, issued by the Department of Interior, officially cancels the order from February 18, 2025, which would have effectively cut off support for tens of thousands of vulnerable children facing deportation.
“This letter cancels the Stop Work Order issued February 18, 2025,” the memo reads.
The Impact of the Initial Order
Earlier this week, organizations like the Acacia Center for Justice and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) were told to halt all activities related to their work with unaccompanied migrant children. These groups provide crucial legal support to minors who often face complex immigration proceedings alone.
- The Acacia Center for Justice supports roughly 26,000 migrant children each year.
- Many of these minors are as young as five or six years old, struggling to navigate a complicated legal system in a language they don’t speak.
- In 2023, only 56% of unaccompanied minors had legal representation during immigration court proceedings, according to the Department of Justice.
“To expect a child—especially a five- or six-year-old—to figure out their immigration case and how to navigate that system in a language they don’t speak, it’s virtually impossible,” said Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Without legal counsel, unaccompanied minors face significant disadvantages in immigration court:
- They are less likely to receive asylum or other forms of legal protection.
- Many face deportation without fully understanding their rights or options.
- Legal representation significantly increases the chances of a fair hearing and better outcomes for minors.
Advocates argue that cutting legal aid for these children would have been both inhumane and unconstitutional, as it effectively denies due process to some of the most vulnerable people in the immigration system.
Why the Reversal Happened
The administration’s decision to rescind the order likely stemmed from growing pressure from:
- Legal aid groups and immigration advocates, who condemned the halt as “devastating.”
- Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who voiced concern about cutting off essential legal services for children.
- Ongoing public backlash and potential legal challenges from organizations fighting for migrants’ rights.
Despite the reversal, many advocates remain cautious about the administration’s future plans regarding immigration policy and access to legal counsel for migrant children.
The Bigger Picture: A Growing Crisis
This reversal highlights the ongoing challenges faced by unaccompanied minors arriving at the U.S. border:
- Thousands of children continue to arrive at the border alone, fleeing violence, poverty, or persecution in their home countries.
- The U.S. immigration system remains overwhelmed, with significant backlogs in both asylum and deportation cases.
- Without consistent access to legal aid, many of these minors remain at risk of deportation without proper due process.
“Providing legal counsel isn’t just a moral obligation—it’s a legal necessity to ensure due process,” said Wendy Young.
