California investments must include immigrant children

OPINION – California has always led the way in protecting vulnerable communities. We pride ourselves on being inclusive, compassionate, and proactive in policies that make a real difference. But today, we face a moment of reckoning – one that threatens to leave some of the most vulnerable among us behind: unaccompanied immigrant children.

In recent weeks, we learned of a devastating decision by the federal government to terminate funding for legal representation, court assistance, and interpretation for unaccompanied children in active deportation proceedings. This move will strip tens of thousands of children across the nation of critical legal protections – including over 4,000 in California. This includes hundreds of children who arrive in San Diego and communities near our southern border every year alone.  As individuals who have long worked alongside advocates and legal service providers, we can attest to how devastating these cuts are – and how they place innocent children at grave risk of deportation, exploitation, and trauma.

With no support or guidance they are expected to navigate an immigration system designed for adults, while also trying to access basic supports like school, healthcare, and housing. Many have survived violence, trafficking, and unimaginable instability. And now, they are expected to start over – with no help and no defense, deprived of the legal lifelines their lawyers offered.

To address this challenge, California created the Children’s Holistic Immigration Representation Project (CHIRP) in 2022. This program offers both legal representation and essential support services like education, mental health care, and housing assistance. CHIRP has been a lifeline, helping children stabilize and rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. The program supports 14 organizations working to protect unaccompanied children from San Diego County all the way to Yuba County.

CHIRP’s comprehensive model works. It’s not just legal aid – it’s a full support system that empowers kids to recover and move forward in their lives.

Despite its success, CHIRP’s future is now in serious jeopardy. The program began as a pilot and has proven its value, but it lacks long-term funding and clear alternatives. With the federal government withdrawing support for children, the burden falls entirely on the state. Without immediate action, California will be left scrambling to fill critical gaps, without the infrastructure or resources in place to do so.

That’s why we are calling our colleagues in the Legislature to commit to funding CHIRP for at least the next two years. These children, who have already lost so much, deserve the stability of knowing someone will stand with them in their time of need.

Beyond being the right thing to do, funding CHIRP is a sound financial decision. Without support, unaccompanied minors are far more likely to experience homelessness and exploitation, leading to far more expensive interventions, including emergency care, foster care placement, and law enforcement involvement. Investing in legal and social services now will facilitate more stable trajectories for newly arrived children and save the state millions down the line.

To date, more than 130,000 people have sent letters to their Congressional Representatives emphasizing the importance of restoring legal services for children, indicating that there is still broad support for the values of due process, justice, and safety that the Unaccompanied Children Program represents.

At a time when the administration is fast-tracking deportation proceedings – pushing individuals through the system at an alarming pace and deporting people without due process – access to legal services for vulnerable children is more critical than ever.

California has a $310 billion budget. The cost of sustaining CHIRP is a tiny fraction of that, but it delivers enormous impact – both for these children and for the long-term health of our communities.

If we truly value justice, compassion, and opportunity, then we must act accordingly. California has always strived to stand up for those who need protection and support. It’s time for Governor Newsom and the Legislature to continue that legacy. Let’s stand up for immigrant children now.

Senator Sabrina Cervantes represents California’s 31st Senate District, including Inland Empire cities of Corona, Eastvale, Fontana, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Moreno Valley, Perris, Riverside, and San Jacinto, and many unincorporated communities in the region. 

Senator María Elena Durazo represents California’s 26th Senate District, including Central Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, and Vernon.