Immigrant advocates and lawyers say an increasing number of migrant children are making immigration court appearances without the assistance of attorneys, which they say will lead to more children getting deported.
The Trump administration on March 21 terminated part of a $200 million contract that funds attorneys and other legal services for unaccompanied children, who arrived in the United States without parents or legal guardians.
The now-terminated contract paid for attorneys to represent 26,000 children across the country and “friend of the court” programs for children, which provide attorneys in court to help pro se respondents navigate the court process.
Kraft said that before the contract was terminated, she saw 30% to 40% of children in a given docket without lawyers. Now, she said, the number has increased to 50% to 60%.
Last fiscal year, 98,356 unaccompanied children entered the country
He adjusted his language to be kid-friendly, explaining in detail what a “right” is and what “asylum” is, with a gentle lilt. Immigration judges are required to take extra time to explain the proceedings in a "child-friendly" way, per Department of Justice directives.
Ul-Haq asked each of the older children if they wanted more time to find attorneys. They all responded yes. For the younger children, ul-Haq automatically gave them extra time.
“You and your sister were very good girls today,” he told the 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old sister in the tie-dye shirt.
He asked the 7-year-old boy who had been spinning a windmill, “What’s that on your shirt?” A pizza, the boy said.
Then, ul-Haq asked if any of the children had a first language other than Spanish.
The 4-year-old girl in the tie-dye shirt raised her hand, dangling her pink plushy above her head. It wasn’t clear – was she responding to the question, or just playing with her toy?
A woman off-screen said, “I’m her case manager,” referring to herself as a social worker in charge of the child. “She speaks Spanish.”
"hey! you can't do that!!!!"