Federal filings show the Trump administration awarded a no‑bid contract worth at least $158 million — potentially over $244 million — to Our Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad) to represent unaccompanied migrant children in ORR custody. The organization was rebranded after founder Tim Ballard resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking; Derek Benner now leads the group. The award followed the end of a long‑standing contract with Acacia Center for Justice, which declined renewal over concerns about forced disclosure of confidential client information. Advocates warn the new contracts may meet only minimal legal requirements and could undermine due process for vulnerable children.
Controversial Anti‑Trafficking Group Our Rescue Wins Massive No‑Bid Contract To Represent Unaccompanied Migrant Children
Anti-trafficking group linked to controversial Sound of Freedom movie gets massive Trump contract to represent migrant kids
The Trump administration has awarded a no‑bid federal contract to Our Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad) to provide legal representation for unaccompanied migrant children in federal care. Federal filings show the award is worth at least $158 million and could exceed $244 million.
What the Contract Covers
The contract is intended to fill gaps in court‑appointed counsel for thousands of children in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act directs the government to "ensure, to the greatest extent practicable," that unaccompanied minors receive legal representation and protection from exploitation and trafficking.
Background: Our Rescue and Its Controversial History
Our Rescue is the rebranded organization that was formerly known as Operation Underground Railroad, the anti‑trafficking group founded by Tim Ballard. Ballard — whose activities inspired the 2023 film Sound of Freedom — resigned from the organization in 2023 amid lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct, forced labor and trafficking; he has denied the allegations. The group changed its name to Our Rescue in 2024 and is now led by CEO Derek Benner, a former Homeland Security Investigations director who previously led the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
Controversial anti-trafficking group Our Rescue has been awarded more than $150 million to provide legal representation to unaccompanied minors in government custody (Getty)
Derek Benner: "Ensuring that Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) have access to qualified legal counsel and are protected from child exploitation and human trafficking fits squarely within this mission." (Statement provided to The Independent)
Why Some Providers Declined the New Terms
The award follows the government’s decision to end a long‑standing contract with the Acacia Center for Justice and a network of more than 100 nonprofit legal providers. Acacia declined to accept a renewed contract after the administration added a stipulation that would require legal service providers to disclose certain client information. Acacia said that the requirement could expose children to deportation and would violate both legal ethics and the organization’s moral standards.
Acacia Center for Justice (summary): The group stated that forced disclosure of confidential client information would violate legal ethics and could jeopardize clients’ safety.
Other Contracts And Concerns
The administration also announced an award of roughly $150 million to Burke Law Group to provide legal orientation, consultations and attorney‑of‑record services for children in ORR custody. Burke Law Group’s founder, Marcella Burke, served in legal roles at the Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency during the first Trump administration; public records and the firm’s website show limited experience specifically representing unaccompanied minors in ORR custody.
Advocacy groups warn the new contracts may meet only the minimum legal requirements and fall short of delivering zealous representation. Several judges have intervened over the last year to block rapid deportations of minors where due‑process concerns were raised.
The Trump administration has severed ties for a network of nonprofits that provided legal support to migrant children and instead offered lucrative contracts with controversial Trump-linked firms that do not appear to have extensive experience representing them (AFP/Getty)
What Critics and Advocates Say
Advocates emphasize that children in ORR custody are among the most vulnerable and need robust legal advocacy to protect their rights and safety. Moira Duvernay, deputy director at the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, which had been part of Acacia’s provider network, said children "desperately need an advocate in their corner to keep them safe and to ensure their due process rights and best interests are respected."
Context And Transparency
Federal officials have been asked to explain the choice to award no‑bid contracts to organizations with limited public records of representing unaccompanied minors. Our Rescue’s public reports say the organization worked with 228 law‑enforcement agencies and conducted operations in 27 countries and all 50 U.S. states in 2024, reporting 1,969 global arrests. Critics caution that operational claims related to anti‑trafficking work do not substitute for proven expertise in immigration representation for children in ORR custody.
The Department of Health and Human Services was asked for comment but had not provided one at the time of reporting.
Help us improve.
