Attorneys General Defend Critical Immigration Services for Unaccompanied Children

Attorneys general from the United States are spearheading a defense of essential immigration services for unaccompanied children from the Caribbean and other regions. These young immigrants have fled violence, human trafficking, and other dangers in their homeland, often without a parent or guardian in the United States to care for them. The attorneys general argue that federal law requires the government to ensure these children receive legal representation, as cutting such services will endanger vulnerable children who rely on immigration lawyers to access fundamental necessities like housing, healthcare, and education.

Key Takeaways:

• 20 attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, have filed an amicus brief in support of unaccompanied children's access to immigration lawyers.
• Unaccompanied children are more than twice as likely to be deported without legal representation, and a study shows that nearly all children granted relief in immigration court were represented by counsel.
• ICare, a primary provider of legal services for unaccompanied children in New York, estimates that over 10,600 such children will arrive in the state between 2021 and 2026, likely in need of legal representation.
• The coalition argues that immigration lawyers help children access essential services, including child welfare proceedings, and provide safety and stability.
• The attorneys general claim that the Office of Refugee Resettlement's (ORR) decision to cut off federal funds for legal services is unlawful under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008.
• The coalition is requesting the court to uphold a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's withdrawal of support for these critical legal services.

Statistics:

• ICare estimates that over 10,600 unaccompanied children will arrive in New York between 2021 and 2026 and likely need legal representation.
• Children without legal representation are more than twice as likely to be deported.
• Another study found that nearly all children granted relief in immigration court (such as asylum, withholding of removal, or other forms of relief) were represented by counsel.

Sources:

• [1] New York Attorney General Letitia James and 19 other attorneys general.
• [2] United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• [3] The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA).
• [4] ICare (an organization providing legal services to unaccompanied children in New York).
• [5] A recent study indicating nearly all children granted relief in immigration court were represented by counsel.