1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

It is indefensible that vulnerable migrant children are being denied legal representation following the Trump administration’s cruel decision on March 21 to terminate a critical $200 million federal contract. As a result, young children — some as young as four — are forced to face immigration court alone, without an attorney to defend their rights or explain a complex legal system. This disturbing reality stands in stark violation of the most basic principles of justice and human rights. The data speaks volumes: in New York immigration courts, 96% of unrepresented individuals are ordered deported, compared to just 23% of those with legal counsel. By stripping children of access to attorneys, we are effectively condemning them to deportation — even when they may qualify for protections like asylum. This is not only a legal failure, but a profound moral one. As a nation that claims to value due process and human dignity, we have an urgent responsibility to restore full funding for programs that provide free legal aid to unaccompanied children in deportation proceedings. Leaving kids to navigate this daunting system alone is nothing short of unconscionable. We need robust legislative action to enshrine the right to counsel for all children in immigration custody. The heartbreaking images of children spinning toys or laughing in confusion — unaware that their futures are being decided without them truly understanding — underscore the need to act swiftly and decisively. Restoring the $18 million in funding for legal aid providers in New York is a critical step, but only a permanent, nationwide solution will ensure that every child facing immigration proceedings has a fair shot at justice. Our values, and our humanity, demand nothing less.