Acacia Center for Justice Emphasizes the Importance of Unaccompanied Children Having Legal Support in Any Interaction With DHS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 3, 2025
CONTACT: press@acaciajustice.org
WASHINGTON – Shaina Aber, executive director of the Acacia Center for Justice, issued the following statement in response to news reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is planning to incentivize unaccompanied children to waive their rights and protections under the Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act (TVPRA):
“We are concerned by messaging from the Department of Homeland Security that suggests children who were trafficked against their will into the US by cartels will be part of an incentive program aimed at getting children to waive their legal rights under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. DHS’s message is confusing and seems to fly in the face of established laws and protocols that Congress passed to protect children from cyclical trafficking risks, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2008.”
“In fact, as the law delineates, children who have survived severe forms of human trafficking should have their rights protected, be appointed a child advocate who looks out for their best interests, and receive advice and assistance from trauma-informed legal services personnel in order to explore their legal options. Children require time to build trust with their legal advocates who can provide guidance and support to make an informed choice about their next steps. Children need time to express their desires and absorb their options, rather than being subjected to rapid-fire demands by agents who are unaware of their particular circumstances, histories, developmental needs, or vulnerabilities.
At Acacia, we believe every child deserves to have their case heard, deserves the right to due process, and the chance to live in peace. We worry that the plan, as reported, puts unaccompanied children who have already experienced severe trauma at risk of further danger and destabilization. At a time when the administration has prolonged the time children spend in federal immigration custody, we must focus on protecting their rights to safety and well-being, rather than seeking to quickly dispose of the protections they deserve.”
To learn more about the conditions vulnerable children face in government custody, read our report here.
Acacia Center for Justice expands meaningful access to justice and freedom for immigrants at risk of detention or deportation in partnership with an accountable and 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 publicly funded programs and responsive collaborations through a network of over 130 legal service providers nationwide.
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