Six unaccompanied migrant children appeared remotely in a Manhattan immigration court, none represented by lawyers as they faced potential deportation. Ages 13 to 17, the minors sat in jeans and T-shirts while Immigration Judge Lisa W. Ling moved through proceedings with minimal dialogue. A 15-year-old Guatemalan boy agreed to voluntary departure without fully understanding he was waiving chances at legal status.
The pattern repeats nationwide: a 7-year-old in Texas consented to leave without counsel, and in Arizona, a 1-year-old was ordered to file an asylum application without a lawyer. According to the Vera Institute of Justice, about 55% of nearly 50,000 unaccompanied minor cases completed by August lacked legal representation—the highest rate since 2019. Deportation orders for identified minors surged to over 7,300 in July, up from 3,500 in May.
The increase coincides with a contract dispute between the Trump administration and nonprofits providing legal aid to migrant children. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) let a $200 million contract with the Acacia Center for Justice expire in July, citing data-sharing disagreements. While a 2008 law requires the federal government to ensure representation 'to the greatest extent practicable,' migrant children have no automatic right to court-appointed lawyers.
These children undertake dangerous journeys north, risking trafficking and exploitation. Many seek work or schooling—motives that may not qualify for asylum—leaving them vulnerable to deportation unless legal advocates can uncover other protections.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing