Image: Children wait outside of an immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building on July 31, 2026 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images North America

Sergio Martinez-Beltran of NPR reports: “The Trump administration has awarded a controversial anti-human trafficking organization a no-bid $158 million contract to provide legal services to unaccompanied migrant children, according to a notice posted Friday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Utah-based Our Rescue, previously known as Operation Underground Railroad, says it helps law enforcement perform sting operations to catch human traffickers and rescue survivors. It’s unclear if it has immigration lawyers on its staff, although its website says it offers “legal support to help prosecute offenders.” Our Rescue did not immediately return NPR’s request for comment.

The group was founded by activist Tim Ballard, who was the subject of the 2023 film Sound of Freedom. The movie starring Jim Caviezel was heavily promoted in conservative media as QAnon conspiracies flourished.

Within months of the film’s release, however, Ballard faced accusations of sexual exploitation himself. He has repeatedly denied them, but was quietly removed from the group. It’s now headed by CEO Derek Benner, who previously worked for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement…”

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