Texas law firm withdraws from $150M contract to represent migrant children
Summary
A small Texas law firm, Burke Law Group, has withdrawn from a $150 million federal contract to represent unaccompanied migrant children after concerns from immigrant advocacy groups. The contract was expected to be awarded by President Donald Trump's administration through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).Key Facts
- Burke Law Group was set to receive a $150 million contract to provide legal help to unaccompanied migrant children.
- The firm has 26 employees and eight offices, and recently added immigration law to its services.
- One founder, Marcella Burke, previously worked in Trump administration agencies like the EPA and Department of the Interior.
- The contract would cover legal guidance and representation for migrant children during immigration proceedings.
- Advocacy groups criticized the choice, saying nonprofits with long experience would be better qualified.
- The Acacia Center for Justice currently holds the main contract for legal services to unaccompanied children and declined a new contract due to HHS data-sharing demands.
- HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement wanted client information that some providers said was confidential and legally protected.
- Burke Law Group did not respond to requests for comment after withdrawing from the contract.
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