Trump administration awards $150 million no-bid contract to Burke Law Group for immigrant minors

Health and Human Services awarded a no-bid contract of up to $150 million to the Burke Law Group to provide legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant minors, despite the firm’s limited track record in that area. The firm was founded three years ago by Marcella Burke, who previously served as deputy general counsel at the EPA, and Jeffrey Hall, a recent EPA assistant administrator. Critics note the administration’s broader reliance on non-competitive contracts, including a $7 billion icebreaker purchase and other deals tied to political donors.

The prior grantee, Acacia Center for Justice, refused a bridge contract that would have required disclosure of client information, citing deportation risks. Democratic senators have asked the Pentagon inspector general to investigate the contracting process and the companies involved.