government
Trump administration asks Texas for help providing legal services to immigrant kids facing deportation
By Texas Tribune, Lomi Kriel at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· July 3, 2026
· 12 min read
Last month, the leader of a small Texas state commission — tasked with aiding criminal defense for low-income Texans — received an unusual request from top officials working with the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Justice needed their help providing legal services to immigrant child...
Key takeaway Department of Justice needed their help providing legal services to immigrant children in their deportation cases, said Scott Ehlers, the executive director of the state’s Indigent Defense Commission.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The Trump administration's request for Texas to provide legal services to immigrant kids facing deportation has significant implications for the state's resources and priorities. In Terrell Hills and surrounding areas, residents may be concerned about the potential strain on local agencies and the state's Indigent Defense Commission, which is already tasked with aiding low-income Texans in criminal defense cases. The fact that the commission's executive director, Scott Ehlers, expressed doubts about the legality of taking on immigration defense cases under the commission's mandate suggests that the request may not be feasible or appropriate. As the situation unfolds, Terrell Hills residents should watch for how state and local officials navigate this unusual request and its potential impact on the community's social services and budget. The fate of immigrant children in Texas and beyond hangs in the balance, and local leaders' decisions will be crucial in determining the outcome.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 12 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Last month, the leader of a small Texas state commission — tasked with aiding criminal defense for low-income Texans — received an unusual request from top officials working with the Trump administration. The U.S. Department of Justice needed their help providing legal services to immigrant child...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune, Lomi Kriel at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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