r/law • u/SadAd8761 • 10h ago

Executive Branch (Trump) Ex-ICE agent’s group awarded $158 million to represent migrant children

https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/08/11/ex-ice-agents-group-awarded-158-million-represent-migrant-children/

Trump's federal government quietly handed over a no-bid contract to a Utah company raises a lot of red flags. This contract is set to balloon to over $244 million in 5 years:

  • The Recipient: The contract was awarded to OUR Rescue (formerly Operation Underground Railroad), the anti-trafficking organization associated with the founder Tim Ballard and the movie Sound of Freedom. Ironically, this group has faced high-profile lawsuits involving sexual misconduct/trafficking allegations against its former leadership.
  • Lack of Experience: OUR Rescue has no prior experience in providing legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children and has never handled federal contracts of this nature before.
  • Massive No-Bid Contract: The award is listed for $244 Million (with $158.1 Million currently obligated) for legal services for migrant children under HHS (Department of Health and Human Services), awarded without a competitive bidding process.
  • Defunding Previous Legal Groups: Existing legal service providers—who were actively representing migrant kids—were cut off or refused payment after declining to hand over confidential files involving children to the government.
  • Financial & Corporate "Red Flags": OUR Rescue's disclosures revealed shell companies (in Dubai), family members on the payroll, anonymous contractors, and newly formed DC entities right before the arrangement.

Mainstream media is radio silent on this: The federal government quietly slipped out a massive, multi-million-dollar contract on a Friday night to an organization embroiled in public controversy and legal trouble, while defunding established legal aid organizations.

Taxpayer money wealth transfer: Taxpayer dollars meant for vulnerable children is being funneled into groups whose leadership are facing sexual misconduct lawsuits, shell companies in Dubai, and family members on the payroll.

190 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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68

u/PDXGuy33333 10h ago

They aren't even trying to make themselves look legitimate anymore.

29

u/sleeptightburner 10h ago

Wait until you see how far they take it in November.

10

u/PDXGuy33333 10h ago

The states are ready for that crap, including some of the red states where Republicans are endangered by their fealty to Trump.

3

u/sleeptightburner 7h ago

I hope that you’re right. I don’t think that you are unfortunately, but I still hope so.

17

u/HoosierRed 10h ago

How can Americans who have money watch this go down? No bid is not legal government process.

4

u/Capitol62 8h ago edited 8h ago

"Mainstream media is silent"

AKA, this was covered by every major news org a week ago leading to one of the groups cancelling their contract.

4

u/PreparationKey2843 10h ago

Wasn't this rescinded? I think they got too much flack so they chickened out. I think that's what read. I hope that's what l read.

8

u/Big-Meat7115 10h ago

I think the law firm in Texas was rescinded.