Trump Administration Awards Contract to Controversial Group for Legal Services
On July 31, 2026, children gathered outside an immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in New York City. This scene unfolded as the Trump administration granted a controversial $158 million contract to Our Rescue, an anti-human trafficking organization, to provide legal services to unaccompanied migrant children.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the no-bid contract on Friday. Our Rescue, based in Utah and initially known as Operation Underground Railroad, claims to assist law enforcement in operations against human traffickers. However, the organization’s capability in immigration law is unclear, as their website mentions providing ‘legal support to help prosecute offenders.’
The organization was established by activist Tim Ballard, who gained attention through the 2023 film Sound of Freedom. Following the release of the film, Ballard faced allegations of sexual exploitation, which he denied, but subsequently stepped down from the group. Derek Benner, previously of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, now leads the organization.
According to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the contract, running from August 7, 2026, to February 6, 2027, is part of its initiative to ensure every unaccompanied immigrant child receives legal representation. ORR is also collaborating with other providers, including the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.
Michael Lukens, Executive Director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, criticized HHS’s decision, pointing out the lack of legal service expertise of Our Rescue. Lukens emphasized, ‘This boils down to children being harmed.’
There are around 24,000 unaccompanied immigrant children in the U.S., yet only 1,800 are currently in HHS custody. The agency defines these minors as those without lawful U.S. immigration status and without a parent or legal guardian in the country.
This contract came after a previous agreement with a group of nearly 100 legal nonprofits expired on July 31. This expiration left attorneys scrambling to continue ensuring minors’ legal representation.
ORR confirmed it has enlisted the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to handle legal services until December 31. However, Lukens noted that the temporary solution is causing chaos in the system.
The Amica Center and similar nonprofits continue offering representation without compensation after the Trump administration stopped payments, due to their refusal to disclose confidential information covered by attorney-client privilege.
This contract to Our Rescue is part of a pattern within the Trump administration, favoring organizations with Republican ties. Derek Benner previously served in the Department of Homeland Security, while Burke Law Group, initially considered for another contract, had links to the administration but withdrew after media scrutiny.
Burke Law Group, with a specialization in environmental law, had planned to represent 1,800 children in HHS shelters but lacked significant expertise in immigration law, as pointed out by critics.