The Trump management has issued a stop-work order to a company that gives prison illustration to 1000’s of unaccompanied migrant kids.
In a memo, bought by way of The Hill, the Division of the Inner knowledgeable the Acacia Heart for Justice that “the Government hereby directs your firm to stop all work associated with the scope of Contract 140D0422C0009,” which supplies “Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children.”
The letter additionally directed Acacia to “cease all services and the ordering of supplies” and to in an instant tell subcontractors of the stop-work order.
The Division of the Inner didn’t cite a particular explanation why for the order however stated it was once “being implemented due to causes outside of your control and should not be misconstrued as an indication of poor performance by your firm.”
President Trump has made cracking down on immigration a key guiding principle of his 2d time period, together with in some circumstances the removal of positive executive services and products, such because the CBP One app used to use for asylum.
Acacia’s Unaccompanied Youngsters Program supplies prison services and products to greater than 26,000 kids who’re in or had been launched from the custody of the Workplace of Refugee Resettlement, in keeping with its govt director, Shaina Aber.
Aber stated this system protects kids from human trafficking, is helping immigration courts run extra easily and guarantees “a modicum of due process, so that children navigating the immigration system alone understand their rights and legal obligations.”
She slammed the stop-work order in a remark responding to the management’s letter.
“The administration’s decision to suspend this program undermines due process, disproportionately impacts vulnerable children, and puts children who have already experienced severe trauma at risk for further harm or exploitation,” Aber wrote.
“We stand ready to work with the Department of Health and Human Services to review and rapidly restore these essential services so that Acacia and our partners can continue supporting vulnerable children,” she persisted.
Rebecca Beitsch contributed.
