U.S. immigration policies and funding cuts impact migrant children

Migrant children and families in the United States are facing a growing crisis due to federal immigration enforcement and funding cuts. According to Americans for Immigrants Justice, between 20,000 and 26,000 unaccompanied minors are facing a legal crisis after the Trump administration withdrew funding from civil organizations that provide legal representation in immigration courts. The expiration of federal contracts for approximately 100 groups has forced organizations like AI Justice to reduce staff and budgets.

Data from the Vera Institute of Justice indicates that 63% of these minors lacked legal representation in 2025. Furthermore, an analysis by the Brookings Institution suggests that 145,000 children with U.S. citizenship have lost at least one parent due to immigration arrests since the start of the current administration, with 22,000 losing both parents.

During hearings in New York, Rochelle Garza, director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, stated that current immigration operations, including ‘Operation Metro Surge’ in Minnesota, undermine democracy and involve racial profiling. She noted that the intensification of these policies has led to human rights violations and significant community instability.