Immigrant advocacy organisations have sued the Trump administration, accusing it of accelerating asylum proceedings for unaccompanied migrant children in ways they say undermine their legal rights and increase the risk of deportation without adequate representation.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday night, challenges recent policy changes that the organisations say are pushing children through the immigration system too quickly, limiting their access to lawyers and making it harder for them to present their asylum claims.
The groups allege that some children face rushed court hearings, shortened deadlines and accelerated removal orders, including cases involving alleged human trafficking and threats of violence.
They also claim that US Citizenship and Immigration Services has reduced the notice period for asylum interviews, with some children reportedly receiving less than 24 hours’ notice.
The complaint further alleges that the Department of Justice has instructed immigration judges to complete removal proceedings for detained unaccompanied children by January 31, 2027. According to the organisations, judges are restricting postponements to periods of no more than three weeks to meet the deadline.
Lindsay Toczylowski, co-founder of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said a system that limits children’s ability to secure legal representation while accelerating deportation proceedings fails to provide justice.
Jason Boyd, vice president for federal policy at Kids in Need of Defense, described the changes as a coordinated effort across government agencies that, in his view, puts faster removals ahead of due process and child safety.
The Department of Homeland Security had not immediately responded to ABC News’ request for comment on the lawsuit.
The legal challenge follows a recent announcement by the department offering unaccompanied migrant children $3,000 to leave the United States voluntarily. The incentive represents a $500 increase from the amount offered the previous year.
The administration has also assembled government lawyers to represent migrant children in immigration proceedings after ending arrangements with several advocacy organisations that previously provided legal services.
Immigration advocates have questioned whether government attorneys can adequately represent children’s interests when the administration is also pursuing their removal from the country.
The lawsuit adds to growing legal disputes over the treatment of unaccompanied migrant children under the administration’s immigration enforcement policies. The organisations are seeking to stop the practices they challenge and protect children’s access to legal representation and a fair opportunity to pursue asylum claims.