The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network announced Feb. 19 that the federal government had issued a stop-work order for legal services funded through the Office of Refugee Resettlement Unaccompanied Children’s Program.
RMIAN said in a press release that the order imperils the ongoing representation of children in immigration proceedings.
“RMIAN is appalled and outraged that the administration has stopped funding legal representation for unaccompanied children,” Ashley Harrington, RMIAN Children’s Program Managing Attorney, said in a press release. “RMIAN represents hundreds of unaccompanied children–some as young as two-years-old–who would otherwise be forced to navigate the complicated immigration legal system alone. RMIAN’s clients include children who have been subjected to child abuse and neglect, trafficking and sexual abuse who fled to the U.S. for safety and protection.”
RMIAN isn’t the only organization impacted. According to the release, the stop-work order affects more than 90 legal service providers who collectively represent over 26,000 unaccompanied immigrant children in immigration court proceedings. RMIAN noted that about 160 children in Colorado are impacted by the order.
“RMIAN stands in solidarity with the unaccompanied children across the country impacted by this shameful stop work order and will continue to fight for their access to free legal representation,” Gina Rangel, RMIAN’s Unaccompanied Children’s Program coordinator and paralegal, said in a press release.