United Nations human rights experts have strongly criticized a decision by the United States government to cut legal aid for unaccompanied migrant children. The experts said removing access to lawyers for children in immigration courts is a serious violation of children’s rights and goes against international law.
The condemnation followed earlier remarks by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who called on the US to make sure its migration policies respect human rights. Independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said children should never be forced to face complex legal systems alone, especially in cases that could decide whether they are deported or allowed to stay.
According to reports, the funding cuts happened last year when the US government ordered legal service providers working with migrant children to stop their work. These groups had been offering legal representation and support to minors who entered the country without parents or guardians. After the funding was removed, several organizations filed a lawsuit, and a federal judge later temporarily restored the program while the legal battle continues.
The White House rejected the criticism from the UN experts. A spokesperson said the government had been trying to locate children who were allegedly smuggled into the US under the previous administration. However, officials did not provide detailed examples. The administration also argued that its immigration policies are designed to protect children rather than harm them.
UN experts disagreed strongly. They said that denying legal help to children makes them more vulnerable to unfair treatment and possible deportation to dangerous situations. They also raised concerns about reports that the US offered some unaccompanied minors money to voluntarily return to their home countries. The experts warned that such actions could break international rules meant to protect children, especially those at risk of trafficking or violence.
The issue is part of a wider immigration crackdown in the US, which includes efforts to deport large numbers of undocumented migrants. Human rights groups say children need special protection because they may not understand the legal process or their rights. Without a lawyer, many may struggle to explain why they need protection or asylum.
Data from the US government shows that more than 600,000 migrant children have crossed the US-Mexico border without a parent or legal guardian since 2019. Many of them come from countries facing violence, poverty, or political instability. Advocacy groups say legal aid can be the difference between safety and deportation for these young migrants.
Why is legal aid important for migrant children?
Legal aid helps children understand court procedures, present their asylum claims properly, and avoid wrongful deportation. Without a lawyer, many children may not be able to defend their rights or explain the dangers they face in their home countries.