DHS agents visit offices of several legal aid organizations that assist unaccompanied migrant children, groups say

Homeland Security Investigations agents made unannounced visits to several nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area that provide legal services to unaccompanied migrant children. According to reports from the nonprofits, the agents arrived without a warrant or subpoena and were denied entry. The purpose of these visits remains unclear, but officials from the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General accompanied the DHS agents.

One of the organizations, Kids in Need of Defense, issued a statement stating that their U.S. Headquarters was among those visited in a coordinated operation targeting federal subcontractors that offer legal services to unaccompanied children. Wendy Young, the president of Kids in Need of Defense, criticized the operation as part of ongoing efforts by the administration to undermine legal services for migrant children seeking safety in the U.S.

Another organization, Ayuda, also reported that HSI agents did not present any legal documents and were directed to organizational leadership instead of being provided with client information. The visits occurred on the same day that DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a crackdown on fraudulent “supersponsors” who seek custody of unaccompanied migrant children.

In response to inquiries, a DHS spokesperson emphasized the agency’s dedication to locating the 450,000 unaccompanied children who entered the country under the Biden administration. However, immigration advocates and attorneys have disputed figures provided by the Trump administration, citing a DHS internal watchdog report from 2024 that raised concerns about ICE’s tracking of unaccompanied migrant children.

Legal service providers previously took legal action against the Trump administration for cutting funding to groups that offer legal representation to migrant children. A judge eventually ruled in favor of the providers, ordering the government to restore funding to ensure continued support for unaccompanied children in need.

These events underscore the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration policies and the provision of legal services to vulnerable populations. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the protection and support of unaccompanied migrant children in the United States.