Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
January 27, 2026 Human rights
UN-appointed independent human rights experts have stated that the United States is "gravely violating" children's rights in its immigration policies. They say thousands of minors are being detained without access to lawyers.
The State's responsibility to protect children
Experts recalled that, according to a law passed in 2008, US authorities are responsible for the proper care of unaccompanied minors arriving in the country. The law requires children to be protected from abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. It guarantees their right to legal assistance and prohibits expedited removal—deportation without a court hearing.
Legal assistance has been terminated.
However, as experts noted, on February 18, 2025, the US Department of the Interior ordered the suspension of non-profit legal services and terminated funding for attorneys representing minor migrants. This decision is still being challenged in the courts, but many of the 26,000 such children have already lost legal support and face forced removal.
Children are reportedly held in windowless cells, are not always provided with adequate medical care, and are separated from their parents or guardians for months. Between January and August 2025, the average length of detention increased from approximately one month to six, while the number of placements of children into the care of relatives decreased by more than half, from approximately 95 percent to 45 percent.
Pressure and payments for self-deportation
“There are numerous reports of unaccompanied minors being illegally deported in violation of the principle of non-refoulement, including cases of children who are victims of human trafficking or at risk of trafficking,” the independent experts said.
The children are also reportedly being offered a choice: either accept a $2,500 payment to leave the country voluntarily or face indefinite detention and subsequent transfer to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after reaching age 18.
The experts emphasized that children must have access to administrative and judicial mechanisms for protection against decisions affecting their own situation or that of their parents and guardians. They also called for avoiding unnecessary procedural delays that could undermine the rights of the child.
"Expedited procedures are only permissible in cases where they are in the best interests of the child and do not undermine due process guarantees," the experts noted.
Special Rapporteurs
The three special rapporteurs who signed the statement were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. Their work covers issues of human trafficking, migrants' rights, and the independence of judges and lawyers. They are not UN staff and do not receive a salary from the organization for their work.
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