A $150 million federal contract that already raised questions over how it was awarded is facing another challenge, this time from a Texas congressman questioning whether the Houston law firm selected for the job is equipped to represent thousands of unaccompanied migrant children.
Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) is calling on the Trump administration to cancel its award to Burke Law Group, which was selected by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to provide legal services to children in federal custody.
"The Burke Law Group was just awarded a non-competitive $150 million contract to provide legal services to thousands of unaccompanied minors in ORR care," said Castro. "This isn't a small contract."
Castro's concerns center on the size and scope of the firm compared with the responsibilities outlined in the agreement.
According to Castro, Burke Law Group founder Marcella Burke has previously described the firm as operating without dedicated human resources or administrative teams. Castro also pointed to the firm's website, saying only two attorneys list immigration experience among their areas of practice.
"I seriously doubt they can effectively represent these kids, as required by law," said Castro.
The contract, first reported as a planned award last month, would make Burke Law Group responsible for providing legal orientation, consultations and attorney-of-record representation for eligible unaccompanied children during immigration proceedings. The agreement also includes limited legal continuity planning and referrals for children leaving ORR care.
The award would replace the previous arrangement with the Acacia Center for Justice, which worked with a nationwide network of non-profit legal providers and had represented nearly 20,o00 children.
Unlike the previous arrangement, Burke Law Group was selected through a single-source, noncompetitive process, with the proposed agreement worth up to $150 million.
"The Trump Administration should cancel this award and choose qualified legal providers," said Castro. "There must also be an independent investigation into how this firm was selected."
The dispute now puts a spotlight not only on Burke Law Group, but on how the federal government is choosing legal providers for some of its most vulnerable people moving through the U.S. immigration system.
