New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have united in opposition to the Trump administration’s decision to end federal funding for a major immigration legal services program, arguing that the move leaves thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children at risk of facing deportation without legal representation.
The three Democratic leaders announced a state-backed funding initiative after the federal government declined to renew its contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, a national organization that coordinated legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children through nearly 100 nonprofit providers across the United States.
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In response, Governor Hochul unveiled US$7.25 million in emergency funding to help ensure continued legal representation for approximately 1,400 unaccompanied immigrant children in New York who are currently facing immigration removal proceedings, including about 250 children being held in detention facilities.
“While the Trump administration is walking away from these children, New York is stepping up,” Hochul said, describing the funding as a necessary measure to prevent vulnerable minors from navigating the complex immigration court system without legal assistance.
The federal decision has also left more than US$65 million in payments to legal service providers nationwide in limbo, creating uncertainty for organizations that represent immigrant children and raising concerns about disruptions to ongoing cases.
Mayor Mamdani sharply criticized the administration’s policy, arguing that ending the existing legal services network could expose children to greater legal risks during deportation proceedings.
He also questioned the qualifications of some of the replacement providers selected by the federal government, contending that they lack the experience and credibility needed to adequately represent vulnerable minors. Mamdani described the cancellation of the previous contract as “nothing less than a deportation order.”
Attorney General James echoed those concerns, pledging that New York would continue challenging what she characterized as federal overreach affecting immigrant families.
“New York will never stand by while vulnerable children are left to navigate our immigration system alone,” James said, adding that every child deserves access to due process and legal representation regardless of immigration status.
The emergency funding will be administered through the New York State Office for New Americans in partnership with a coalition of legal service providers led by the Hispanic Federation, allowing existing legal assistance programs to continue operating while longer-term solutions are pursued.
The dispute marks the latest chapter in an ongoing clash between New York officials and the Trump administration over immigration policy. In recent months, the state has challenged several federal immigration initiatives while reaffirming its support for sanctuary policies and legal protections for immigrant communities.
Supporters of the state initiative argue that legal representation is essential to ensuring fairness for children appearing before immigration courts, many of whom are too young to understand complex legal proceedings or advocate effectively for themselves.
Critics, however, maintain that immigration enforcement falls primarily under federal jurisdiction and argue that state taxpayers should not be responsible for replacing federal funding or financing legal services for individuals facing deportation.
The funding announcement underscores New York’s determination to maintain legal protections for immigrant children despite shifting federal priorities. It also highlights the widening policy divide between state and federal leaders over immigration enforcement, due process and the treatment of vulnerable migrant populations.
