A US immigration lawyer in San Antonio is struggling to protect migrant children as former President Donald Trump continues to change policies affecting unaccompanied minors. The situation has created fear and uncertainty for children placed in foster care after crossing the US border alone.
Late one night during the Labor Day weekend, two teenage boys from Guatemala were suddenly ordered to return to a government shelter without explanation. The foster mother caring for them was given no clear reason and was left in tears as the boys were taken away. The children feared they would be deported and lose their chance to attend school in the United States.
The boys were among many unaccompanied migrant children placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement after being detained at the border. US law requires that such children be released quickly to trusted sponsors, but recent policy changes have slowed the process, keeping children in detention for months instead of weeks.
A local immigration lawyer rushed to intervene when he learned that several Guatemalan children were being gathered for possible deportation. He managed to stop their removal at the last moment after a federal judge ordered an emergency halt. Many children were already on a plane before the order was issued.
Under Trump’s renewed immigration approach, the US government argues that keeping children detained or returning them home is meant to protect them from trafficking. However, lawyers and human rights groups say the policy causes emotional harm and violates long-standing legal protections for migrant children.
Data shows that the average time migrant children spend in shelters has increased sharply. Many children are unable to attend proper school lessons and suffer anxiety, fear, and sleep problems while waiting for decisions on their cases.
Legal aid organisations are now overwhelmed as they try to respond quickly to sudden policy changes. Lawyers say they are spending more time reacting to government actions than preparing strong asylum cases for vulnerable children.
For many migrant children, the uncertainty continues. While some are returned to foster homes, others remain in detention with no clear timeline. Advocates warn that without stable policies, migrant children will continue to suffer from fear, confusion, and trauma.