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Robert Garcia and Ron Wyden Criticize the Administration's No-Bid Contracts for Unaccompanied Migrant Children

The administration announced a series of no-bid contracts to handle the legal representation of unaccompanied migrant children, drawing criticism from lawmakers who question the organizations' lack of experience. Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Senator Ron Wyden pressed Burke Law Group and Our Rescue for accountability, noting that the administration awarded massive contracts to organizations with histories of sexual misconduct and shady financial dealings. Specifically, the administration awarded a sole-source contract of up to $244 million to Our Rescue, a non-profit that lacks extensive experience in immigration law. Meanwhile, the administration moved to terminate the contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, which had previously funded a network of nearly 100 legal service providers. While the administration sought to replace these seasoned providers with new entities, legal aid groups expressed concern over the transition. The administration also faced court orders to pay nonprofits for unpaid work and to continue funding programs that were previously targeted for termination. These actions highlight a broader effort by the administration to shift legal services to entities with less established expertise in complex immigration proceedings.

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