Trump Administration to Assign Government Lawyers to Migrant Kids’ Cases, Worrying Advocates
Critics say the move could leave 24,000 cases without independent counsel as HHS shifts child immigration defense inside the agency.
- Last week, The Trump administration announced creation of an in-house legal team within the Health and Human Services Department to provide direct legal advice and counsel to unaccompanied migrant children through the new Unaccompanied Alien Children Legal Representation Division.
- This decision follows the administration cutting ties with the Acacia Center, which managed 24,000 cases through a vast network of legal service providers. The government recently awarded a contract to Our Rescue worth up to $244 million.
- Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center, argued the move creates conflicts of interest, stating it 'will only give HHS new opportunities to forsake children's rights and well-being.' Critics contend placing legal representation inside the agency holding children violates independence standards.
- Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense, warned government-employed attorneys might encourage minors to accept voluntary departure. Young noted the child's lawyer, judge, and prosecutors seeking deportation would all be federal employees.
- Sui Chung, executive director of Americans for Immigrant Justice, stated denying independent counsel is a 'fundamental breakdown of the fairness our Constitution promises.' The division will operate under HHS general counsel direction, raising questions about zealous representation.
50 Articles
50 Articles
The government plans to create a legal team for unaccompanied migrant children, generating criticism for potential conflict of interest.Defensors say the measure could weaken independent representation and increase the risk of deportation of minors.
Trump Administration Quietly Creates New Legal Team for Migrant Children — Critics Sound the Alarm – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Jack
President Trump's HHS created a legal division to represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court, complete with a written independence firewall — but critics say the conflict remains.
The Toronto Star
Trump administration to assign government lawyers to migrant kids’ cases, worrying advocates
MIAMI (AP) — The Trump administration is creating a team of attorneys to represent children who traveled alone to the United States in immigration proceedings, which critics say would deprive them of having lawyers who aren't employed by the government…
Critics decry Trump administration's move to assign government la
MIAMI (AP) — The Trump administration is creating a team of attorneys to represent children who traveled alone to the United States in immigration proceedings, which critics say would deprive them of having lawyers who aren’t employed
Trump administration to assign government lawyers to migrant kids' cases, worrying advocates
The Trump administration is creating a team of attorneys to represent children who traveled alone to the United States in immigration proceedings, which critics say would deprive them of having lawyers who aren't employed by the government and could put them at greater risk of deportation.
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