Migrant Children Facing Court Alone: Lapsed Federal Contracts Left Thousands Unrepresented Before Judge

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 31: Children wait outside of an immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on July 31, 2026 in New York City. More than 1,400 migrant children across New York, including more than 700 in New York City, are set to lose legal representation as a $200 million federal contract with the Acacia Center for Justice expires. The nonprofit oversees legal services for unaccompanied migrant children and estimates the funding loss will affect more than 24,000 children nationwide. (Credit: Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

A Monday Hearing in Harlingen, Texas

Angel, a 13-year-old from Honduras, stood before an immigration judge in Harlingen, Texas, on Monday with no attorney at his side, according to CNN's on-site report. Asked whether anything prevented him from going home, he said, "My mom and almost my entire family are here." The judge told him he did not qualify for asylum, issued a removal order and gave him until the end of the month to appeal.