IJC Denounces Cruelty of Funding Cuts to Unaccompanied Children Program

NEW YORK, March 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IJC denounces the end of federal funding for the Unaccompanied Children Program, which provides legal representation to unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings. The program affects over 90 legal service providers, including IJC, who represent over 26,000 unaccompanied children across the United States.

"Expecting children, including toddlers and babies, to represent themselves in life-or-death immigration proceedings is beyond absurd," said Jojo Annobil, Executive Director of Immigrant Justice Corps. "These children have fled violence, persecution, and trafficking. Forcing them to face government prosecutors without legal representation is not only cruel; it undermines the integrity of our immigration system, fuels chaos, and will lead to family separation. When our immigration system breaks down like this, our communities suffer, becoming less safe, less stable, and less prosperous. We urge leaders at all levels to fight for the restoration of the Unaccompanied Children Program so that no child is left to navigate the immigration system alone."

Over 150 IJC Fellows in more than 30 states are part of the Unaccompanied Children Program, providing direct legal representation as well as age-appropriate education to children about the legal process and their rights and obligations. The federal government's funding cuts will put thousands of unaccompanied children who have already been traumatized at further risk of harm and exploitation.

IJC recruits, trains, and supports young lawyers in the immigration field, placing them with legal service providers around the country who represent immigrants in need.

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SOURCE Immigrant Justice Corps