Judge Orders Trump Administration to Release $65 Million to Migrant Legal Aid

District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin ordered the Trump administration to release $65 million in withheld funds to nonprofit legal aid groups representing unaccompanied migrant children. The ruling, issued Thursday, found that the government violated a preliminary injunction by imposing new data requirements that the judge stated violate the "plain language" of her order.

The government argued that granular client data was necessary to verify work, while legal groups contended the requests violated attorney-client privilege. The court mandated that the funds be released by noon on Friday.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services must report to the court on how legal services for these children will continue, as the previous contract with the nonprofits expired on July 31. This ruling follows reports that the government plans to award a $150 million contract for similar services to the Burke Law Group, a small Texas-based firm.