We need your support to make sure no child faces immigration court alone.

We’re fighting to restore these critical services, and we need more people to stand with us.

📢 Take action and learn more:
🔗 www.clsepa.org/clsepa-v-hhs

The article also highlights the harm caused by the federal government’s abrupt funding cuts to immigration legal service organizations, forcing them to lay off trusted staff and scramble to keep vital programs running.

These kids have no idea what’s happening, and no one by their side to explain it to them or advocate for their safety.

Yet the risks are enormous. Children without legal counsel are far more likely to be wrongfully deported, even when U.S. law protects them.

A 7-year-old boy, wearing a pizza cartoon shirt, spinning a toy windmill while the judge spoke.

An 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old sister, clutching a pink plushy and tucking it into her sleeve for comfort.

All expected to face a judge alone.

This case isn’t just about immigration law, it’s about whether we uphold the rights of children, no matter their birthplace.
CLSEPA and partners have sued to restore legal counsel for every unaccompanied child.
🔗 Learn more: www.clsepa.org/clsepa-v-hhs

📌 Violation of basic rights:
Without legal help, kids, some too young to speak, are more likely to be deported, even if U.S. law says they should be protected.

📌 No explanation, no warning:
HHS gave no rationale, no alternative plan, and no notice to affected providers or children.

📌 Violation of HHS’s own rules:
A 2024 HHS regulation requires legal services to continue when funds are available. This cut ignored their own policy.

📌 Funding was already approved:
Congress allocated $5B+ in the budget to support legal services for children in immigration court. The money exists, but HHS chose to cut access.

📌 Violation of federal law:
The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act requires HHS to ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that unaccompanied children have legal counsel.