Thousands of Children at Risk as Immigration Legal Services Face Cuts
Across the United States, over 25,000 children could soon be navigating the immigration system without legal representation. Among these vulnerable minors are 800 in Michigan alone, who are now facing the prospect of court appearances without the aid of a lawyer.
This development follows a recent decision by the Trump administration to terminate service contracts with more than 100 nonprofit organizations, including the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC). The administration cited “the Government’s convenience” as the reason for the abrupt cancellation, impacting legal funding for unaccompanied minors at the U.S. border. The contract was originally due for renewal at the end of March.
Ana Devereaux, a senior managing attorney at MIRC, highlighted the critical situation facing these children. Many of them are not only teenagers but also include infants as young as 10 months. According to Devereaux, they have often escaped abuse, neglect, and persecution in their home countries and face language barriers, making it “ludicrous” to expect them to self-represent in legal proceedings.
“The idea of them being able to make their case, even when they are eligible for something — it’s a farce,” Devereaux emphasized. She warned that without legal representation, these children have little chance of accessing the protections they might be entitled to.
In light of the funding cuts, Devereaux expressed concerns about the potential for expedited and distressing deportations of these young migrants in Michigan. Despite the funding challenges, MIRC is still striving to provide current clients with essential services, such as “know your rights” presentations and legal screenings. However, the resources for these efforts are dwindling rapidly and could be exhausted within the week.
MIRC officials have reaffirmed their commitment to serving their 800 young clients for as long as resources allow. They issued a call to action for community support in a press release, stating, “MIRC will continue to serve the 800 young clients we currently represent in Michigan as best we can, for as long as we can, given the limited resources we have available.” The public is encouraged to contribute to these efforts through their website to help sustain the representation of these vulnerable children.
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