Murray, Wyden Urge Reversal Of Policy They Say Puts Migrant Children At Risk

U.S. Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Ron Wyden of Oregon are pressing the Trump administration to reverse proposed changes they say would weaken legal protections for unaccompanied immigrant children, warning that the policy could put vulnerable youth at greater risk of harm and exploitation.

In a letter sent to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the senators raised concerns about a revised federal contract governing legal services for children in government custody, arguing that the changes would limit access to legal counsel and undermine longstanding federal protections.

“Without in-person orientations, we are deeply worried that children who have yet to speak with counsel to understand their rights may be pressured by the Department of Homeland Security to sign their legal rights away and self-deport, which could result in children returning to dangerous situations in their home countries,” Murray and Wyden wrote.

The proposed changes stem from an amended Request for Proposals issued by HHS in February 2026, which outlines how legal services for unaccompanied children would be delivered moving forward. According to the senators, the revised plan shifts legal orientations from in-person meetings to primarily virtual formats, restricts access to certain legal services and delays compensation for legal providers.

Under current law, the federal government is required to provide legal services to unaccompanied children “to the greatest extent practicable,” a mandate established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and reaffirmed through annual congressional appropriations. Lawmakers argue the proposed changes fall short of those obligations and conflict with congressional intent.

Murray and Wyden also warned that moving to virtual or prerecorded legal orientations could prevent attorneys from identifying critical needs among children, including language barriers, disabilities or trauma-related concerns that are better addressed through in-person interaction.

The letter further raises concerns about provisions requiring legal service providers to share confidential client information with the federal government, a move the senators say could violate attorney-client privilege and ethical standards.

In addition, the proposal could limit access to ongoing legal support by restricting consultations after a child has been in custody for more than six months or after they are released to a sponsor. It also excludes certain legal actions, including appeals and motions that are often critical to immigration cases.

Lawmakers say the consequences of reduced legal access are not theoretical. In the letter, they point to a recent case involving a 16-year-old who was transferred across state lines while in federal custody, delaying legal intervention and prolonging the child’s detention. Legal advocates were eventually able to locate and assist the child, but the senators argue the situation highlights the importance of timely access to legal representation.

“Legal service providers work to prevent further abuse, trauma, neglect, and exploitation of children, by building relationships with the children through in-person consultations, tracking their cases closely, and advocating for the legal rights and best interests,” the senators wrote.

The senators are urging the administration to revise the proposal to ensure in-person legal services remain the standard, protect children’s confidentiality, maintain access to legal representation regardless of placement and provide timely compensation for legal service providers.

They have requested a response from HHS by April 7.