The Trump administration has issued a stop-work order to a agency that gives authorized illustration to hundreds of unaccompanied migrant kids.
In a memo, obtained by The Hill, the Division of the Inside knowledgeable the Acacia Heart for Justice that “the Government hereby directs your firm to stop all work associated with the scope of Contract 140D0422C0009,” which gives “Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children.”
The letter additionally directed Acacia to “cease all services and the ordering of supplies” and to instantly inform subcontractors of the stop-work order.
The Division of the Inside didn’t cite a particular cause for the order however stated it was “being implemented due to causes outside of your control and should not be misconstrued as an indication of poor performance by your firm.”
President Trump has made cracking down on immigration a key tenet of his second time period, together with in some instances the elimination of sure authorities companies, such because the CBP One app used to use for asylum.
Acacia’s Unaccompanied Youngsters Program gives authorized companies to greater than 26,000 kids who’re in or have been launched from the custody of the Workplace of Refugee Resettlement, in accordance with its government director, Shaina Aber.
Aber stated this system protects kids from human trafficking, helps immigration courts run extra easily and ensures “a modicum of due process, so that children navigating the immigration system alone understand their rights and legal obligations.”
She slammed the stop-work order in an announcement responding to the administration’s letter.
“The administration’s decision to suspend this program undermines due process, disproportionately impacts vulnerable children, and puts children who have already experienced severe trauma at risk for further harm or exploitation,” Aber wrote.
“We stand ready to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to review and rapidly restore these essential services so that Acacia and our partners can continue supporting vulnerable children,” she continued.
Rebecca Beitsch contributed.
