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Democrats press HHS over legal representation of migrant children
Lawmakers say the changes could leave more than 24,000 children without counsel and question awards to firms they call unqualified.
- On Monday, 63 Congressional Democrats sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. pressing concerns over federal contracts awarded to firms they say lack immigration experience.
- Following the expiration of a $200 million contract with the Acacia Center, HHS awarded a no-bid $158 million agreement to Our Rescue last month, affecting more than 24,000 children nationwide.
- Founded by activist Tim Ballard, Our Rescue does not list legal services among its primary functions, raising concerns about the organization's suitability for representing migrant children in court.
- Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, the government must provide qualified legal consultation to unaccompanied children, a mandate lawmakers argue these contract choices jeopardize.
- Health and Human Services officials defended the selection, calling Our Rescue 'a premier organization' focused on anti-trafficking, though critics warn that inexperienced firms risk the legal fate of thousands.
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Democrats press HHS over legal representation of migrant children - Regional Media News
(WASHINGTON) - Congressional Democrats are pressing federal health officials following the government's decision to end a contract with legal advocacy groups that provide legal representation to migrant children. In a letter sent Monday to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. [...]
MyCentralOregon.com+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Democrats press HHS over legal representation of migrant children
Families arrive for a court hearing in immigration court on July 31, 2026, in New York City. More than 1,400 migrant children across New York, including more than 700 in New York City, are set to lose
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left0Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution83% Center
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
83% Center
C 83%
R 17%
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