The Trump administration has established a team of government attorneys to represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court, according to a federal notice from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These HHS lawyers will provide direct legal services to the children, handling aspects of their immigration proceedings.
This initiative follows the administration's decision to end contracts with several immigration advocacy groups that previously offered these legal services. The duties outlined for the HHS attorneys include formally appearing on behalf of the children in immigration court and representing them throughout their legal cases.
Immigration advocacy organizations have expressed concerns regarding this shift. They argue that it is problematic for the same government agency involved in the administration's immigration enforcement efforts to also be responsible for representing children facing deportation. Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, stated that such an arrangement is "unconscionable" and "boldly unethical," asserting that truly independent advocates are necessary for children to receive a fair hearing.
Previously, the Acacia Center for Justice held the prime contract with HHS for the Unaccompanied Children Program, overseeing more than 100 service providers. However, the government terminated this contract earlier this year. A subsequent $158 million contract was awarded to an organization focused on combating human trafficking. Additionally, a Texas law firm withdrew its bid for a $150 million contract after advocacy groups questioned its immigration law experience.
These contract decisions prompted a group of Democratic lawyers to voice their concerns to HHS, particularly regarding the award of federal contracts to firms they believe lack sufficient experience in immigration law. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX) has emphasized the moral and statutory obligation to provide quality legal representation to unaccompanied minors, cautioning that cutting off experienced providers could jeopardize children's welfare.
Advocacy groups have also alleged that unaccompanied children are targets of the administration's aggressive immigration policies. The arrangement of having HHS attorneys represent children raises further concerns about the fairness of the legal process. Jennifer Podkul, Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy for Kids in Need of Defense, noted that this creates a "closed system" where federal agencies act as custodian, prosecutor, and potentially counsel, potentially limiting the children's opportunity for an independent and fair hearing and possibly leading to faster deportations.
In this June 10, 2025, file photo, federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York.