The Trump administration is using government lawyers to represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court, according to a federal notice by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This move follows the termination of contracts with several immigration advocacy groups that previously provided legal services to these minors. Critics argue that having government attorneys defend the same group targeted under Trump's immigration policies is unethical and undermines fair representation.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In December 2023, the Acacia Center for Justice became the main contractor with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Unaccompanied Children Program, overseeing subcontracts with over 100 service providers that provided legal representation to more than 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children. However, earlier this year, the government ended its relationship with the Acacia Center and awarded a no-bid contract worth $158 million to an anti-human trafficking organization for providing legal services to these children.
Recently, the Trump administration announced plans to use HHS lawyers from a new agency division to directly represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court. The announcement, posted by HHS, indicates that government attorneys will take on duties such as entering appearances and providing representation throughout each child's immigration proceeding. This shift has sparked concerns among some advocacy groups, who argue that the same government body now tasked with representing minors is also responsible for targeting them under harsher immigration policies.
Critics express strong opposition to this move, stating it is morally untenable for the administration to both prosecute and defend these children simultaneously.
Written for “Government Lawyers for Migrant Children” on 2026-10-09,
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Trump administration to use government lawyers to represent migrant children
Some immigration advocacy groups have raised concerns about the move.
asserted
groups → use → move
The Trump administration has quietly organized a team of government attorneys to represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court, according to a federal notice.
uncertain
administration → organize → notice
The announcement, posted by the Department of Health and Human Services, says that HHS lawyers under a new agency division will "provide direct legal services to unaccompanied alien children."
asserted
lawyers → post → children
The development comes after the administration cut ties with a number of immigration advocacy groups that had previously provided those services.
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that → come → services
Some of the duties listed in the notice include entering appearances on behalf of migrant children in immigration court and providing representation throughout an individual migrant child's immigration proceeding.
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Some → list → proceeding
Some immigration advocacy groups have raised concerns about the move, saying that the same government that is targeting migrant children under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown would also now be representing the minors in court.
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that → raise → court
"It is unconscionable that the same government that is attacking and trying to deport children would also pretend to provide them legal defense in immigration court," said Michael Lukens, the executive director of the immigrant advocacy group Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, which used to receive funding through a government contract that was terminated.
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that → attack → contract
"A fair day in court, which every child deserves, requires meaningful and independent advocates.
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child → deserve → advocates
HHS' plan to assign government attorneys to defend kids is a boldly unethical position," he said.
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he → assign → kids
A spokesperson for the HHS did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News.
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spokesperson → respond → News
In December 2023, the Acacia Center for Justice became the prime contract holder with HHS for the Unaccompanied Children Program, overseeing subcontracts with more than 100 service providers that provide legal representation to more than 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children.
But earlier this year, the government cut ties with the group and awarded a controversial anti-human trafficking organization a no-bid $158 million contract to provide legal services to migrant children.
asserted
government → become → children
In August, a small Texas law firm withdrew from consideration for a $150 million federal contract to represent unaccompanied migrant children after immigrant advocacy groups raised concerns about the firm's degree of experience in immigration law.
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groups → withdraw → law
The two awards prompted a group of Democratic lawyers to send a letter to HHS regarding their concerns over the government's efforts to award new federal contracts to politically connected firms that they said lack immigration experience.
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they → prompt → experience
"Unaccompanied minors are the most vulnerable population in the immigration system," Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Tx., previously told ABC News.
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Castro → tell → News
"We have a moral and statutory duty to provide them with quality legal representation.
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We → have → representation
The Trump administration's attempt to cut out longstanding providers who are equipped to handle these cases jeopardizes the well-being of children."
Immigrant advocacy groups have alleged that unaccompanied children and their sponsors are among those being targeted under the administration's aggressive immigration crackdown.
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children → cut → crackdown
, ABC News reported that the administration was directing immigration agents to track down unaccompanied migrant children in the United States.
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administration → report → States
"If [HHS] attorneys are assigned to represent unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings, every federal agency involved in these children's cases, including HHS, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security, would effectively be on the same side of the courtroom," said Jennifer Podkul, the Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy for Kids in Need of Defense.
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Podkul → assign → Defense
"This creates a closed system in which the government serves as custodian, prosecutor, judge, and now potentially counsel, leaving children with little opportunity to have their cases heard through a truly independent and fair process," Podkul said.
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Podkul → close → process
"Putting HHS attorneys in this role risks creating yet another pathway to fast-track vulnerable children toward deportation rather than ensuring their rights, safety, and best interests are protected."
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rights → put → deportation
The Aporia
