Former ICE agent’s organization receives 8 million for advocacy on behalf of migrant children.
The Trump administration has recently awarded a significant contract valued at 8 million to the nonprofit organization Our Rescue, which focuses on issues concerning unaccompanied migrant children. This group, based in Minneapolis and founded by Tim Ballard, a former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, aims to combat child trafficking globally. The award was disclosed in a federal contracting database, with the potential for the total contract value to increase up to 4 million.
Our Rescue specializes in rescuing children from sex trafficking, operating in several countries including Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, and Thailand. The organization garnered attention partly due to its association with the film “Sound of Freedom,” a cinematic representation of Ballard’s work that has been positively received by conservative audiences. However, the film has also sparked criticism for allegedly promoting certain conspiracy theories related to child trafficking, particularly those disseminated by far-right groups.
Notably, the Trump administration’s current approach has shifted away from collaborating with advocacy organizations that have historically provided legal assistance to these minors. Recent developments saw a small legal firm, the Burke Law Group, awarded a no-bid contract valued at 0 million for representing unaccompanied minors during their immigration court proceedings. The firm is directed by Marcella Burke, a former appointee of Trump. This decision has fueled opposition from immigration advocates who argue that the administration is undermining established organizations with decades of experience in representing vulnerable children.
In July 2023, amidst the screening of “Sound of Freedom” at Trump’s private club, Ballard departed from Our Rescue. Shortly thereafter, legal troubles surfaced, with multiple lawsuits filed against him alleging serious misconduct related to his organization’s missions. These cases claim instances of sexual coercion and trafficking, prompting an ongoing investigation into the conduct of the nonprofit and its founder.
While Our Rescue claims to work alongside global law enforcement agencies to assist at-risk populations, it remains unclear whether the organization has the necessary legal expertise to effectively represent unaccompanied children. Derek Benner, the group’s chief executive, emphasized the organization’s commitment to ensuring the protection of vulnerable minors. However, critics, such as Michael Lukens from the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, argue that the administration’s recent changes could jeopardize meaningful legal advocacy for these children. As the landscape of legal representation for unaccompanied minors evolves, the implications of these developments are likely to resonate throughout the immigration system and beyond.
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