Trump administration to pay $65 million owed to lawyers of unaccompanied migrant children
The judge said the government must pay the withheld funds and file proof by Friday, as about 24,000 cases remain pending.
- U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin ordered the Trump administration to release about $65 million in unpaid fees to nonprofits representing unaccompanied migrant children facing deportation.
- The administration stopped payments last November, demanding confidential client case information from the Acacia Center for Justice, which refused citing attorney-client privilege; the dispute caused the nonprofit's contract to expire on July 31.
- Separately, the administration awarded a $150 million 'single source' contract to the Burke Law Group, a Houston-based firm with ties to the president; advocates criticized the no-bid award, noting the firm lacks specialized immigration experience.
- Although the administration released the funds after the Friday deadline, Estrella del Paso shuttered its legal aid program, laying off 13 employees and cutting off services to new minor clients.
- Thousands of unaccompanied minors face an uncertain future as legal advocates challenge the administration's actions under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, arguing the government's withholding of funds restricts children's access to mandatory legal counsel.
6 Articles
6 Articles
More than 4,000 unaccompanied immigrant children in California could lose legal aid
More than 4,000 unaccompanied immigrant children in California are at risk of losing their free legal representation after the nonprofit Acacia lost its federal contract on Aug. 1. More than 4,000 unaccompanied immigrant children in California could lose legal aid
‘Tie themselves in a knot’: Judge benchslaps Trump admin for poor legal arguments in order directing government to fully fund aid programs for immigrant children
President Donald Trump listens during a briefing with the media, Friday, June 27, 2025, at the White House in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin). A federal judge in California gave the Trump administration a tongue-lashing on Thursday in a case about how the government must provide legal services for children facing deportation. The victory for immigrant...
Trump administration to pay $65 million owed to lawyers of unaccompanied migrant children
A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to release about $65 million in unpaid fees to nonprofits that provided legal services to unaccompanied migrant children facing deportation.
Federal judge orders Trump Admin. to release more than $65M in withheld legal aid payments
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to pay more than $65 million in withheld funding to nearly 100 legal service providers representing unaccompanied immigrant children, including nearly $1 million owed to Estrella del Paso. Under the court's order, the administration must release the payments by 12 p.m. Pacific [...]
Judge orders Trump administration to pay $765,000 owed to Estrella del Paso
The Trump administration by Friday must pay millions of dollars to Estrella del Paso and other legal aid organizations that represent unaccompanied migrant children, a federal judge ordered Thursday. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguín of Oakland, California, ordered the government to release $65 million in payments it has withheld since December by 1 p.m. MDT Friday, including about $765,000 it owes Estrella del Paso. She also ordered t…
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