Fund Legal Aid for Immigrant Children
In March 2025, the Trump administration terminated federal funding for the Unaccompanied Children Program (UCP), cutting off legal services for more than 26,000 unaccompanied immigrant children nationwide. Although a federal court temporarily enjoined the administration from withdrawing those services in April 2025, the underlying funding remains precarious and could lapse at any time. Organizations such as Public Counsel, the International Rescue Committee, and a coalition of more than 100 legal groups have warned that without restored, stable funding, children of all ages — including toddlers — will be forced to represent themselves in immigration court.
Congress has the authority and the responsibility to appropriate dedicated, sustained funding for legal representation of unaccompanied immigrant children. Ensuring these children have legal counsel is not only a matter of due process, but is also consistent with longstanding bipartisan child-welfare policy. A federal court's emergency intervention should not be the only safeguard standing between vulnerable minors and an immigration system they cannot navigate alone.
Constituents are urging their federal representatives to support and pass legislation that permanently appropriates funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children, and to oppose any budget measure that eliminates or reduces such funding.
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Live Call Script
Hello, I am an assistant calling on behalf of a constituent, {{first_name}} {{last_name}} from {{city}}, {{state}} zip code {{zip_code}}. The constituent is calling to urge {{representative_name}} to support continued and permanent federal funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. In March 2025, the administration terminated funding for the Unaccompanied Children Program, stripping legal representation from more than 26,000 children. A federal court temporarily blocked the cut, but Congress must act to make this funding permanent and protect it from future executive action. Without legal counsel, children — some as young as toddlers — are forced to represent themselves in immigration court. This is a fundamental due process issue and a child-welfare crisis. The constituent respectfully asks {{representative_name}} to: 1. Support appropriations legislation that permanently funds legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. 2. Oppose any budget measure, continuing resolution, or reconciliation package that defunds or reduces these programs. 3. Cosponsor or champion legislation that codifies the right to legal representation for unaccompanied minors in immigration proceedings. Will {{representative_name}} commit to protecting legal services for these vulnerable children?
Voicemail Version
I am calling on behalf of {{first_name}} {{last_name}}, a constituent from {{city}}, {{state}} {{zip_code}}. The constituent is urging {{representative_name}} to support permanent federal funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. In March 2025, the administration cut funding that provided legal representation to more than 26,000 children, leaving them to face immigration court alone. Congress must act to restore and permanently appropriate this funding, and to oppose any budget measure that eliminates it. Please make protecting these children a legislative priority. You may contact me at {{phone_number}} to discuss further.