U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide government lawyers for migrant children

The Trump administration is establishing a new legal division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide attorneys for unaccompanied migrant children in immigration proceedings. According to a Federal Register announcement signed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Unaccompanied Alien Children Legal Representation Division aims to provide direct legal advice and counsel to assist in safely reuniting children with their families.

Advocates and critics have expressed concern that using government-employed lawyers may create conflicts of interest, potentially depriving children of independent representation and increasing their risk of deportation. This move follows the administration's decision to end ties with the Acacia Center for Justice, a nongovernmental organization that previously managed thousands of cases through a network of legal service providers. The new policy represents a significant shift in how legal support is provided to migrant children compared to the system established in 2008.