Representatives from the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP), and Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP) held a press briefing today to discuss reports that the Trump administration plans to award a $150 million contract for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children to the Houston-based Burke Law Group.

Speakers addressed the status of the federal contract, ongoing litigation related to representation for unaccompanied immigrant children, and concerns about how these developments intersect with broader efforts to transfer children from shelters to facilities in Texas.

A recording of the briefing is available here.

Michael Lukens, Executive Director at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, said:

“From family separation to cutting off legal services for children, this administration continues its policy of doing anything in its power to harm immigrant children. Replacing experienced nonprofit advocates dedicated to helping children with unqualified law firms loyal to the Trump administration is just the newest tactic.”

Roxana Avila-Cimpeanu, Deputy Director at the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, said:

“The expiration of the Unaccompanied Children Program has led to confusion, uncertainty, and fear for children across the country. For months, the government has withheld funds and refused to negotiate in good faith, demanding that legal service providers across the country divulge privileged information about children in violation of our values and legal ethics, in order to be paid for our work. Now, funding has been awarded to a private law firm in Texas with no demonstrable experience in relevant immigration law or the representation of children, instead of our nationwide network of independent, experienced, child-centered, and trauma-informed advocates. This does not represent meaningful legal representation, and as a result, children will be unjustly deported.”

Alexa Sendukas, Managing Attorney at the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, said:

“At a time of heightened ICE enforcement against immigrant children and families, especially in Texas, children need urgent legal assistance more than ever. They deserve lawyers who are trained in child-friendly and trauma-informed representation who know how to effectively advocate on their behalf and ensure their rights are respected.”