Media and Press

Acacia Center for Justice Statement on Temporary Restoration of Protections for Unaccompanied Kids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 2, 2025

CONTACT: press@acaciajustice.org

WASHINGTON – Bettina Rodriguez Schlegel, chief of staff at the Acacia Center for Justice, issued the following statement in response to a Temporary Restraining Order issued in CLSEPA v. HHS, which orders the temporary restoration of critical legal services for unaccompanied children. 

The temporary restraining order issued by the court affirms what we know to be true – ending representation for more than 26,000 unaccompanied children not only would cause irreparable harm but stands in violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which protects children who have already experienced unimaginable harm from additional mistreatment, abuse, exploitation or trafficking.   

“While this relief is a much-needed first step for our partners across the country and the clients they serve, it is a temporary reprieve. Funding for this vital program must be fully reinstated so we can ensure that vulnerable children seeking safety have the legal support they need, as defined by ORR’s own regulations, ultimately protecting them from exploitation and ensuring a fair legal process.  

“Particularly at a time when the administration is forcing young people through our nation’s deportation system at an unprecedented speed, legal services including representation, friend of court, and volunteer attorney recruitment are more critical than ever.” 

Earlier today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, medical experts, and lawyers representing unaccompanied kids held a press conference on the Trump administration’s near-total termination of legal services for unaccompanied children, calling for a full restoration of funding for the program.  

 

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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.