Migrant Kids Face Deportation Risk as Legal Aid Deal Expires

The contract, which funded nonprofit organizations to provide legal representation for unaccompanied minors, lapsed at midnight on July 31, 2026. Without it, children must navigate immigration court proceedings alone, often without a lawyer, increasing their chances of deportation.

The expiration affects an estimated 26,000 minors who are currently in the United States without a parent or guardian. These children, many fleeing violence or poverty in Central America, face complex legal procedures that require filing asylum claims, attending hearings, and presenting evidence, tasks that are daunting even for trained attorneys.

Advocates warn that the loss of legal aid will disproportionately impact the most vulnerable children, including those with mental health issues or limited English proficiency. They say the lack of representation could lead to wrongful deportations, as children may miss deadlines or fail to articulate their fear of persecution.

The federal government has not announced a replacement program or funding source. Meanwhile, immigration courts continue to process cases, and some children have already had their hearings scheduled without a lawyer. Legal aid organizations, which previously relied on the contract, are now scrambling to find alternative funding or scale back their services.

The expiration comes amid broader debates over immigration policy and the treatment of unaccompanied minors. Lawmakers on both sides have expressed concern, but no immediate legislative fix has been proposed. For the children affected, the uncertainty adds to the trauma they have already endured.