Michael Lukens

The federal government awarded a $150 million contract to Burke Law Group to represent 1,800 unaccompanied children in federally operated shelters. Immigrant legal aid groups criticized this move, warning that it is an attempt to undermine minors' rights and that the children will not receive meaningful due process. The article also notes that federal efforts have repeatedly attempted to erode legal mandates for immigrant minors by withholding payments from service providers.

The federal government awarded a $150 million contract to Texas-based Burke Law Group, a corporate law firm with 26 staff, to represent 1,800 unaccompanied migrant children. Advocates criticize the move as undermining due process and fast-tracking deportations, citing the firm's lack of immigration law expertise. The Trump administration has previously issued stop work orders and withheld payments from nonprofit legal aid providers for these children.

The Trump administration awarded a $150 million contract to provide legal representation for unaccompanied migrant children to Houston-based Burke Law Group, a firm with limited immigration law experience and ties to the administration. Legal aid groups criticized the decision, warning it could jeopardize children's due process and increase deportation risks.

The Trump administration awarded a $150 million contract to Texas-based Burke Law Group for legal representation of unaccompanied migrant children, despite the firm's limited immigration law experience and ties to the administration. Legal aid groups warn this could jeopardize children's due process and increase deportation risks, as the prior contract with experienced providers expired without replacement.