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Press Release

For Immediate Release

*Contact Information*
Karissa Braxton, Office of the Mayor
Karissa.Braxton2@seattle.gov 

Azmi Haroun, Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs 
Azmi.Haroun@seattle.gov 



ICYMI: *Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Denounces Cutting of Unaccompanied Children Program Funding*

*Funding Cut Expected to Have Chilling Effect on Immigrant Children and Service Provider Partners* 

*Seattle -* On Friday, March 21, 2025, the Trump administration issued a near-total termination of work on its Unaccompanied Children Program",* *"slashing funds used for the legal representation of 26,000 minors navigating complex US immigration courts. 

Seattle's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) stands in deep solidarity with local community members and partners at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) who were targeted by the harsh policy shift. KIND, NWRIP, Colectiva Legal del Pueblo and other partners have been on the frontlines of making sure that immigrant children traveling alone have legal representation, and a chance to experience a safe childhood with dignity in Washington State.  

"In Seattle, we take pride in the diversity of our communities and recognize that the people and cultures represented from around the world are our strength. Our city is home to one of the most diverse zip codes in the nation, where students in our schools speak more than 150 languages and reflect cultures from across the globe," *said Mayor Bruce Harrell.* "The decision to cut the Unaccompanied Children Program—forcing immigrant children as young as three years old to represent themselves in court—is unconscionable and stands in direct opposition to our values as a welcoming city. No child should ever be punished for where they were born. Seattle will continue to support local organizations that provide critical legal assistance, including representation, to immigrant and refugee children—some of the most vulnerable members of our community."  

When children are expected to argue their cases in courts on their own, Vera Institute of Justice found that over 90 percent [ https://www.vera.org/downloads/publications/representation-matters.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] of unaccompanied children without legal representation were issued an order of removal or voluntary departure.  

"The stakes of removal proceedings in immigration court are incredibly high. They can mean the difference between safety and violence, between stability and family separation, and sometimes even between life and death,” *said Kayley Bebber, NWIRP Directing Attorney for the Unaccompanied Children Program.* “Northwest Immigrant Rights Project has proudly provided direct legal representation to immigrant children and youth in Washington State for over 40 years. We need to come together to protect access to legal representation for unaccompanied children and youth in Washington State and across the country." 

Since 2017, OIRA has worked with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and other legal service providers to provide representation to unaccompanied children in Seattle.  

Prior to the order, KIND’s office served children from over 30 countries, many of whom were fleeing pervasive violence in Central America—El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala—from which their governments cannot or will not protect them. They are survivors of gang violence, gender-based violence, or have suffered due to the abuse or neglect of a parent. In 2023, KIND assisted 69 children with legal representation and services through Washington’s immigration courts, and the group works with over 900 law firms across the country providing pro bono legal support for unaccompanied minors.  

“The administration’s devastating decision to strip vital legal services away from unaccompanied children runs counter to its stated desire to protect kids, some as young as toddlers, against trafficking, exploitation, and other abuses that make them easy prey for those who would do them harm. The critical legal programs eliminated today have long-standing bipartisan support from Congress, not only because they protect children from danger, but because they also improve efficiencies in the immigration system by ensuring legal counsel for unaccompanied children who otherwise must navigate a complex court proceeding alone,”* said [ https://supportkind.org/press-releases/elimination-of-vital-legal-services-for-unaccompanied-children-undercuts-administrations-desire-to-prevent-trafficking-ensure-court-efficiency/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) President Wendy Young.* “Elimination of the services in this contract, which are mandated by law, makes it all but impossible for many unaccompanied children to appear for their immigration court hearings or otherwise remain in touch with immigration agencies. It severs key lines of communication and coordination between vulnerable unaccompanied children and the institutions in place to ensure their protection.” 

KIND attorneys provide culturally sensitive representation to children eligible for protection because of abuse, abandonment, neglect, persecution, or other forms of violence such as sex and labor trafficking and sexual assault. Understanding the service gaps for immigrant children, KIND also connects children to education, healthcare, driver’s license assistance, emergency funds, and other much-needed resources. 

“Children represented in the UCP are the promise of our city and state, and this new harmful rollback targeting immigrants and legal advocates marks a dark day in the history of this country,” *OIRA director Hamdi Mohamed said.* “OIRA remains committed to protecting our refugee and immigrant children, and supporting partner organizations with new rapid response measures to meet these unknown times.” 

The order is one of the many arbitrary immigration decisions under the current administration, a deteriorating landscape where OIRA and the City of Seattle have worked hard to fill service gaps. 

In March, OIRA announced new Rapid Response funding of $240,000, to help support partners in Seattle providing critical legal services in the shifting immigration ecosystem, such as know your rights trainings, family safety planning services around family separation, and new legal consultations to counter lost protections.  

Since the start of the year, the department has also put together trainings around immigration enforcement protocols, as well as know your rights trainings for service providers and business owners to locally contextualize large-scale federal immigration changes. 

 

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