Hochul Bets $7.25M On Legal Defense For 1,400 Migrant Children In NY

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state will spend about $7.25 million to cover legal representation for roughly 1,400 unaccompanied migrant children facing deportation, including about 250 in detention. The funding follows a lapse in federal contracts with a network of providers, and relies on the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act to ensure counsel for children in removal proceedings. Hochul framed the move as stepping in when the federal government and immigration authorities have been insufficient to protect migrant children.