BREAKING: Federal judge blocks the Trump administration from cutting off funds for "direct legal representation services

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Chris Geidner
‪@chrisgeidner.bsky.social‬

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BREAKING: Federal judge blocks the Trump administration from cutting off funds for "direct legal representation services to unaccompanied children."

Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín, a Biden appointee, issues the injunction, addressing congressionally-funded Office of Refugee Resettlement programs.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES IN EAST PALO ALTO, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
Case No. 25-cv-02847-AMO
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFES' MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
Re: Dkt. No. 37
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, et
Defendants.
United States District Court
Northern District of California

This matter comes before the Court on a Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by
Plaintiff nonprofit organizations that provide legal representation to unaccompanied children in immigration courts across the country. Plaintiffs challenge the recent termination of funding for
counsel representing unaccompanied children by Defendants the United States Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS&quot , HHS's Office of Refugee Resettlement ("ORR&quot , and the United States Department of the Interior ("DOI&quot (collectively, "Government" or "Defendants&quot .
Having considered Plaintiffs' motion, Defendants' response, the arguments of the Parties at the April 23, 2025 hearing, and the relevant case law, the Court hereby GRANTS Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction for the following reasons.
ALT

III.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction. The Court ORDERS as follows:
Defendants are ENJOINED from withdrawing the services or funds provided by the Office of Refugee Resettlement ("ORR&quot as of March 20, 2025, under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 ("TVPRA&quot , 8 U.S.C. § 1232(c)(5), and ORR's Foundational Rule, 45 C.F.R
.. § 410.1309(a)(4),
particularly ORR's provision of funds for direct legal representation services to unaccompanied children. This injunction precludes cutting off access to congressionally appropriated funding for its duration.
This injunction takes effect immediately, replacing the Court's April 1, 2025 temporary restraining order (ECF 33), and will remain in place until a final judgment on Plaintiffs' claims.
Defendants shall file a status report by no later than 2:00 p.m. PST, Friday, May 2, 2025, to report on compliance with the injunction. Additional status reports regarding compliance with the
injunction shall be filed no later than 2:00 p.m. PST, on May 9 and 23, 2025, and every 45 days thereafter. This Order shall apply to the maximum extent provided for by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2) and 5 U.S.C. §§ 705 and 706. Non-compliance or delayed compliance may result in a contempt finding and sanctions.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated: April 29, 2025

ARACELI MARTÍNEZ-OLGUÍN
United States District Judge
ALT
April 29, 2025 at 9:20 PM

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