More than 24,000 unaccompanied immigrant children facing deportation in the United States could lose access to legal representation after a federal contract funding nonprofit legal services expired on Friday, prompting warnings that thousands of vulnerable minors may be forced to navigate complex immigration proceedings alone.

Thousands of unaccompanied migrant children could lose legal representation as soon as Friday, advocates and immigration lawyers tell ABC News.

"Abandoning children to meet deportation targets is immoral. This must stop. These children deserve legal representation."