Chicago Judge Orders 17-Year-Old's Deportation as $365 Million Legal Aid Contract Expires
Updated
Updated · Block Club Chicago · Aug 12
Chicago Judge Orders 17-Year-Old's Deportation as $365 Million Legal Aid Contract Expires
3 articles · Updated · Block Club Chicago · Aug 12
Summary
A Chicago immigration judge ordered a 17-year-old Central American teen deported after refusing more time for possible humanitarian relief, even as a child advocate said it was unclear whether returning him was safe.
The ruling came days after Acacia Center for Justice's $365 million federal contract expired on July 31, cutting legal-services funding for about 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children and teens.
Advocates said judges are increasingly moving ahead with removals without weighing pending or potential Special Immigrant Juvenile visa claims, while visa backlogs leave children exposed in immigration court.
In Illinois alone, Acacia partners represented 900 children; nationally, nonprofits say the government also still owes Acacia $60 million for services since December 2025.
Pressure is building as hearings accelerate: the National Immigrant Justice Center said 90 of its child clients were scheduled for asylum hearings within six weeks, raising fears more minors will face court alone.