Trump-Linked Law Firm Declines $150 Million Contract to Represent Migrant Children

HHS proposed a $150 million contract to Burke Law Group, a Houston firm with two immigration specialists among 24 attorneys, to represent roughly 1,800 unaccompanied migrant children in federal shelters. The firm's co-founder served in the first Trump administration at Interior and EPA, and a founding partner currently serves as an EPA assistant administrator. The offer followed the July 31 expiration of a contract with nearly 100 legal nonprofits HHS had stopped paying since November. On August 12, Burke Law Group declined the contract without explanation, saying on social media it had considered applying for only "a small portion" of the work. HHS instead awarded a temporary $20 million contract through year-end to the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Federal law requires legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings, since they cannot navigate the system alone. Advocates said the award raised questions about political connections outweighing qualifications, and the lapse left roughly 22,000 children with sponsors without a clear arrangement.

A federal judge in California ordered the government on August 6 to pay the nonprofits it owed under the expired contract. Nonprofits say they are continuing to represent children for free while a replacement remains unresolved.