U.S.TOP STORY

Why Are Migrant Children in Court Without a Lawyer?

The dispute between the administration and a group that supplies legal help to thousands of unaccompanied minors leaves many facing deportation hearings alone; a courtroom is no place for a booster seat.

On air: Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Gloria Vance on Wake Up, America
Published 5:31 AM ET, Thursday, October 15, 2026

Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Donald Trump — Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Why Are Migrant Children in Court Without a Lawyer?”
Covered on BBN on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 5:31 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Hank Ledger, Dale Bearman and Gloria Vance.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesWhy Are Migrant Children in Court Without a Lawyer?

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMany unaccompanied migrant children are facing deportation hearings without a lawyer this morning, because of the Trump administration's dispute with an organization that provides legal representation to thousands of them, the New York Times reports.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI have sat in courtrooms on four continents, and a child at a defendant's table with no lawyer is a sentence I never wanted to say on this network.

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Aired onWake Up, AmericaThe morning show that had too much coffeeAbout the show →

From the archive: everything BBN aired on Thursday, October 15, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months