Houston law firm rejects $150 million federal contract to represent unaccompanied migrant children

The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement reported that the Burke Law Group declined a $150 million contract to provide legal representation for unaccompanied migrant children in federal custody. Founded by former Trump EPA and Interior lawyer Marcella Burke, the Houston firm, which also lists Justin Shubow and Ilya Shapiro among its staff, said it considered only a small portion of the award before opting out, offering no explanation.

The contract was proposed as the Department of Health and Human Services let a nearly 100-provider agreement expire at the end of July, while a $20 million interim contract with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants runs through December. Attorneys from that interim group have begun appearing in immigration courts, causing confusion among judges. Legal aid providers whose prior contracts remain unpaid have sued the government, and a California federal judge ordered payment of the outstanding amounts. The gap raises questions about how roughly 1,800 children in shelters and about 22,000 facing deportation will receive court-appointed counsel.