Protect Vulnerable Children

For decades and across presidential administrations, the federal government has supported legal services for unaccompanied children as part of efforts to implement key safeguards in the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), the Flores Settlement, and related policies and regulations. These protections, developed through broad bipartisan support, are designed to help children navigate a complex immigration system and ensure children are not returned to trafficking or other harm.

But now, the current administration has refused to pay for the legal services representing over 20,000 unaccompanied children across the country. Furthermore, on July 31, 2026, the contract that funds this vital, pro-life and pro-family, work will expire. Urgent action is needed to ensure vulnerable children are protected from exploitation, trafficking, and even death. Our friends at the Acacia Center for Justice and their network of nearly 100 nonprofit legal service providers have continued to provide services despite not getting the funding they were promised this past year.

After fleeing violence, trafficking, and other dangerous situations, these unaccompanied children (some even too young to speak for themselves) now risk further trauma of having to represent themselves in court as well as deportation back to those dire situations.

Firsthand Testimonies of
unaccompanied children

• “I am scared of being taken away from my foster family. I feel safe there and I have a lot of friends.” -17 year old in Texas

• “I arrived to the first shelter around May of 2025. I have been living in shelters since then. I was initially hoping to go live with my sister, but I was told that my sister couldn’t sponsor me. I do not understand why I cannot go live with my sister.” -a Maya Man and Spanish speaker

• “The impact of being woken up in the middle of the night and threatened with my return to Guatemala is very stressful.” -16 year old in Texas

Less than 1% of all immigrant children without legal representation are granted immigration relief. Your voice matters in making a difference for vulnerable children and families! Call your elected officials today and spread the word to your communities.

Here’s an idea of what to say when you call:

Hi, I’m ____. And I live in _____. I’m a Christian who is concerned about vulnerable kids. I was alarmed to hear about the elimination of funding for legal service contracts for unaccompanied children—including those separated from an immigrant parent or legal guardian.

I am calling today to ask you for two specific things. As your constituent, I urge you to:

1) work across the aisle to support, introduce, and pass the Children’s Safe Welcome Act, and

2) be aware of the legal services contract renewal deadline of July 31st, 2026 for UACs the need for continued legal representation (which is currently on the brink of collapsing due to withheld Congressionally approved funding). 

Please prioritize the protection of these migrant children by ensuring that the funding for the contract to provide essential legal services for children is restored to ensure safeguards and legal representation for unaccompanied children.

Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter. I appreciate your leadership and commitment to safeguarding children in need regardless of citizenship status.