In recent weeks, a deeply troubling trend has emerged: multiple organizations working to support unaccompanied immigrant children (UAC) have been forced to lay off hundreds of staff members due to drastic cuts in government funding. These cuts stem directly from the second Trump administration’s aggressive policies aimed at reducing support for vulnerable immigrant populations. Nonprofits that have long provided essential services – such as legal aid, medical care, housing, and education – to these vulnerable children are now grappling with diminished resources and, in some cases, making the painful decision to part ways with invaluable employees. The consequences are dire: fewer children will receive the critical assistance they need, leaving them increasingly susceptible to exploitation, homelessness, and deportation.

Why Fund Nonprofit Organizations Working for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

  • Protection of Human Rights: Unaccompanied immigrant children are at high risk for abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Nonprofits play a key role in safeguarding their rights and well-being.
  • Legal Assistance and Advocacy: These organizations provide essential legal support to navigate complex immigration systems, helping children to secure asylum, refugee status, or other forms of protection.
  • Supporting Trauma Recovery: Many of these children have endured severe trauma. Nonprofit organizations offer counseling, safe spaces, and programs that support their emotional and psychological recovery.

Types of Advocacy Activities Funders Can Support

  • Public Education: Funding programs that raise awareness about the challenges unaccompanied immigrant children face can help shift public perception and promote empathy and understanding.
  • Research: Supporting studies that documents the needs, experiences, and outcomes of unaccompanied immigrant children enables better-informed decisions and policies.
  • Convening Key Players: Funding efforts to bring together policymakers, legal experts, community leaders, and advocates can foster collaboration and effective solutions.
  • Organizing: Supporting grassroots efforts empowers communities to advocate for policy change, raise awareness, and take direct action to ensure the protection and rights of unaccompanied children.

It’s Time to Fight Back!

The recent wave of layoffs in organizations serving unaccompanied minors is not just an unfortunate consequence of poor budget decisions – it is a direct result of the Trump 2.0 and the administration’s relentless assault on immigrant rights. These funding cuts are not just policy changes; they are calculated efforts to dismantle critical protections for the most vulnerable children. But now is not the time to give up — it’s time to fight back.

Nonprofits, advocates, and concerned citizens must mobilize – lobbying lawmakers, challenging these cruel policies in court, and raising public awareness. The more we shine light on these injustices, the harder it becomes for this administration to turn its back on the children who need help the most.

With a unified effort, we can push to restore funding, securing legal protections, and ensure that no child is abandoned in their moment of need.

Read the full article about supporting nonprofits assisting unaccompanied immigrant children by Monika Graham at Alliance for Justice.