RAICES Bulletin: New Contract for Unaccompanied Children Program Awarded to Private Firm
By RAICES Public Affairs Director Javier Hidalgo, Esq.
TL;DR The government recently awarded a new $150 million contract to a Texas law firm to provide legal services to unaccompanied noncitizen children. This follows the ending of a prior contract for a broader scope of services via a network of legal aid groups and highlights severe ethical concerns regarding the government's aggressive attempts to seize confidential client information.
WHAT TO KNOW
Issue: The government recently ended its contract with the Acacia Center for Justice, which funded nearly 100 legal service providers representing unaccompanied noncitizen children. Reportedly, a new $150 million contract was awarded to a Houston law firm with ties to the current administration. Set to begin August 15, this new contract only covers 1,800 detained children, and excludes an additional 22,000 children previously covered under the contract.
Rationale: The administration used a single-source cooperative agreement to award the new contract. The government stopped paying for services under the expiring contract in November 2025 as part of its push for the legal service providers to surrender confidential, likely privileged, information about the children. In addition to withholding payment, in June, ICE (HSI) and HHS agents conducted unannounced visits to several participating nonprofits. Without warrants or formal proceedings, these agents attempted to seize financial records and client documents.
RAICES Impact: RAICES previously stopped providing legal services under this contract after the government's initial "Termination for Convenience" of the contract in March 2025. However, this development may place immense strain on partner organizations and the broader legal advocacy ecosystem. RAICES continues training staff on protocol-driven responses to government overreach while adapting systems to counter these severe disruptions in immigrant legal defense.
Community Impact: Advocates warn that many unaccompanied children will be left defenseless, and stripped of meaningful due process. These children likely face accelerated deportation proceedings without legally required representation. Additionally, concerns persist regarding the government’s ongoing efforts to access confidential and privileged case materials.
Related Legal Battles: Several impacted legal aid providers are part of an ongoing lawsuit regarding the initial contract termination. On August 6, 2026, the administration was ordered to pay the funds it sought to withhold, and also to report to the court its efforts to provide legal services via the newly contracted firm. The government's recent actions invite further legal challenges. If the government continues demanding confidential information, the new firm's lawyers risk violating professional conduct rules and exposing themselves to liability. The firm's ties to the administration also raise serious questions about its ability to zealously oppose the government on behalf of its minor clients.
Broader Immigration Strategy: Ending access to a vast network of experienced attorneys is consistent with the administration's mass deportation agenda. Cases will likely be forced through accelerated "rocket dockets." Ultimately, this strategy aims to strip unaccompanied children of due process to fast-track their removal, while simultaneously redirecting federal funds to political allies and private interests.
