The LASRF program was initiated by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) in 2024 following the Ms. L. v. ICE Settlement Agreement to provide legal advice and orientation services nationally and in three U.S. territories to Ms. L. Class members and their qualifying additional family members. Acacia began administering the EOIR-funded LASRF program in May 2024, and until the recent program contract lapse with Acacia, the previous LASRF program provided in-person services in eight states and remote services throughout the country. During the period from July 2024 through April 2025, the 10 LASRF providers served almost 1,200 participants across the country. 

On April 11, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it would discontinue Acacia’s contract for the LASRF program for family members who endured the first Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” family separation policies, effective on April 30, 2025. This LASRF program contract lapse with Acacia happened alongside the DOJ separately terminating several other EOIR-funded Programs, including the Legal Orientation Program, Legal Orientation Program for Custodians, Family Group Legal Orientation Program, and Counsel for Children Initiative.  

On June 10, 2025, the Court ordered the DOJ to reinstate the contract with Acacia to manage the LASRF program due to finding the Government in breach of the Settlement Agreement through the limited, federalized program services offered since May 1, 2025. At this time, the DOJ has not complied with the Court’s order and is seeking relief from having to reinstate the Acacia contract. As the government continues to not comply with the Court’s order, Acacia notes concerns with ongoing conflicts of interest through the federalized program approach.  

Nevertheless, the ACLU is actively litigating a settlement agreement breach – in part based on the above summary. The current status of that litigation (along with the entirety of the court docket) may be found on CourtListener.