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The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants ("CIRI") is deeply concerned by the Stop Work Order halting federally funded legal services for unaccompanied children.
"Nationally, the Stop Work Order could impact as many as 26,000 children, including infants and young children, who may now be forced to face immigration court without legal representation," warned CIRI.
"Here in Connecticut, hundreds of children will be left without access to counsel, and federally guaranteed protection under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act," continued CIRI. "This act, passed in 2008, ensures access to legal representation and other protections for unaccompanied children. Attorneys and organizations face an ethical dilemma for existing clients with pending cases, urgent deadlines, and hearings this week."
CIRI alleges that without "free" legal services, these children could be exposed to further exploitation, abuse, and potentially the dangers of human trafficking.
CIRI received the stop order through Acacia Center for Justice, its contracting partner for unaccompanied children’s legal services, and is actively working to understand the full implications.
It's worth nothing that CIRI is one of those organizations delivering "know your rights" lessons in case police or ICE show up at the front door or confront a person on the street. "We urge individuals to safeguard themselves by knowing their rights, avoiding carrying foreign identification documents, and consulting only with licensed immigration attorneys or DOJ-recognized organizations," writes CIRI.
CIRI has been the recipient of federal grants to cover services for trafficking victims, unaccompanied minors and more, including a $10k covid grant.
Only one grant is still active, running through September 30, 2025.
