Media and Press

New Poll: 61% of Americans Support Legal Protections for Unaccompanied Children

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 28, 2025

CONTACT: press@acaciajustice.org

 

Acacia Center for Justice Releases New National Polling on Protecting Unaccompanied Kids

61% of Americans Support Legal Protections for Unaccompanied Kids

WASHINGTON Today, the Acacia Center for Justice released findings from a representative national survey showing that American adults are strongly in favor of legal protections for unaccompanied children. 61% of American adults answered that children facing the immigration system without a parent or guardian should be guaranteed access to legal support and services. Respondents also strongly favor preserving funding for the Unaccompanied Children Program and believe that the termination of legal services would increase danger and trafficking risks for children.

Further, 64% agreed that legal representation for unaccompanied children going through the immigration process decreases the risks for those who have been trafficked or are at risk of being trafficked.

“As an American and a mom of two young kiddos, I’m not surprised that the results of our national poll show that Americans want to protect vulnerable children,” said Shaina Aber, Executive Director of the Acacia Center for Justice. “These findings prove what policy makers across the political spectrum and our network of children’s advocates, specialized attorneys, anti-trafficking experts, and social workers have been saying for decades. The Trump administration’s near-total cancellation of our unaccompanied kids work earlier this month contradicts the will of the American people and makes our work defending these vulnerable kids nearly impossible. To date, our supporters have sent more than 96,000 letters to Congress urging their elected representatives to step in and stop this administration’s attack on unaccompanied kids.”

“My message to Congress is: the time to defend the Unaccompanied Children Program is now, and the American people are with you.”

 

This research project was conducted online from March 19-21, 2025, using a representative, nationwide panel of registered voters, 18 and older. The results were proportionally weighted to match US Census values. Full polling results are available. Please contact press@acaciajustice.org for a copy.

 

 

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About Acacia Center for Justice

Acacia Center for Justice expands meaningful access to justice and freedom for immigrants at risk of detention or deportation in partnership with an accountable, independent national network of immigrant legal service providers and community partners. Acacia Center for Justice’s reach and impact are unparalleled. The national nonprofit currently operates eight federally funded programs and one state funded program through a network of 130+ legal service providers located in over 80 offices across the country.