Migrant children unrepresented in New York court before judge - immigration cases .

No shame. Surely there has to be support to stop this?

Just read that the judge Judge Ubaid ul-Haq has recently been helping train pro-bono Youth Immigration lawers Immigration Court: Best Practices for Pro Bono Representation

I wonder if he has any chance of speaking out?

Sickening isn't it? But not surprising since Trump himself started the separation at the border policy.

The government abruptly cut funding for legal services provided to unaccompanied immigrant children in March. This directly has a negative impact on the capacity of non-profit organizations in NYC and across the country to provide representation.
This cut also caused Layoffs - many organizations supporting unaccompanied minors have significantly reduced the number of lawyers available to take on these cases.

Although A federal judge temporarily restored the funding in April 2025 after legal challenges, the long-term stability of this funding and the overall impact of the initial cuts on capacity remains - you can't just magic them up again.

The termination of funding is expected to leave thousands of children without legal representation, forcing them to navigate the complex immigration system alone. Some estimates suggest over 26,000 children could be affected nationwide. Organizations that do continue to provide legal services are likely facing increased caseloads and greater difficulty in meeting the demand.

I can't understand why they are not with the aunts, uncles or elder siblings with who they entered the country. Does anyone understand this? It's barbaric and so upsetting.

It's because they are separated at the border.

"The family separation policy under the first Trump administration was a controversial immigration enforcement strategy implemented in the United States from 2017 to 2018, aimed at deterring illegal immigration by separating migrant children from their parents or guardians. The policy, presented to the public as a "zero tolerance" approach, was intended to encourage tougher legislation and discourage unauthorized crossings.[1] In some cases, families following the legal procedure to apply for asylum at official border crossings were also separated. Under the policy, federal authorities separated children and infants from parents or guardians with whom they had entered the US"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_administration_family_separation_policy

Did it reduce illegal immigration iamaround?
At least (small mercy) it wasn’t covert.
It was announced and parents had choices to make. Me?
No way, ever.

It's cruelty, America needs to hang its head in shame. It's hard to fathom how any sane adult can be in favour of such a practice. Are the religious leaders campaigning for change?

I guess lucky for you that you never were presented with that choice FGT. A very privileged life we lead indeed.

If I had to choose between my children possibly dying from gangs, starvation, government or any other, I would do everything I can to get my kids out, just like these people are doing.

An no, it did not stop migration. It just traumatized children.

There is nothing merciful about human rights violations.

The religious leaders are leading the charge for this Rosie. These "Christians" would have Jesus himself rounded up and sent to El Salvador today.

It is the least Christian behavior is have ever seen.

Thank you for the information * NotSpaghetti* and imaround.

One of my horrors about Ukraine is the taking away of children from their families by Russia. It seems the USA are doing the same. It's appalling.

I'm very glad to hear (some) Americans are fighting this. I hope the UK do no deal with them until this issue, amongst others, is rectified.

imaround

The religious leaders are leading the charge for this Rosie. These "Christians" would have Jesus himself rounded up and sent to El Salvador today.

It is the least Christian behavior is have ever seen.

There is a big Catholic Lawers movement to support the migrant children.
I skim read about it just an hour ago.
They were the people who estimated 26,000 children.
I was really just looking to find out where that number had come from so didn't read it properly to be honest.

The Catholic Charities have been helping, but Trump shut down their funding. I am not sure how much help they are able to give after that? I am sure some, but not near enough.

More locally, churches from all denominations have local outreach and are doing their best. But even some of these places relied of federal Funding to help stock food pantries and such.

It is Christian Nationalists who are running the show. And they are the furthest thing from Christians I have ever seen.

I have a long lost relative who is a Christian Nationalist. He is, interesting. Mostly stays away from everyone except for randomly sending unsolicited letters to people he hasn't seen in 20 years to let them know they are sinners. It was always the strangest thing.

I'm sure you are right "imaround*

I just feel so sad reading the article.

And the Judge was clearly doing his best.

At the end of the hearing, he thanked each of the very young children for being there.

“You and your sister were very good girls today,” he told the 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old sister in the tie-dye shirt.

He asked the 7-year-old boy who had been spinning a windmill, “What’s that on your shirt?” A pizza, the boy said.
You know what’s funny?” ul-Haq replied, adding that he had pizza drawings on his socks. He lifted his foot into the air, in front of his video camera, to show the boy.

The comments from the public are very interesting if anyone cares to read them.