Todd Bensman, a representative from the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), stated that state agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are allocating taxpayer funds to numerous faith-based non-profit organizations, facilitating what he describes as "mass" illegal migration into the U.S. A United Nations (U.N.) report discovered that over 200 NGOs have been awarded $1.6 billion in humanitarian aid to support migrants in 2024.
According to an article by Bensman published by CIS, 30 religious NGOs receive funding from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and USAID. These groups utilize these funds for debit cards, food, clothing and other forms of humanitarian aid to assist migrants in their journey towards crossing the U.S. southern border. Among these NGOs is the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which has committed to using $17 million to assist migrants from Latin American countries in 2024. Forty-seven percent of HIAS' funds originate from government grants, primarily from the U.S. State Department, but also include corporate sponsors and the Department of Homeland Security. In 2023, HIAS received a $6 million grant from PRM under the State Department and another $5.2 million specifically allocated for Latin American projects in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Some of these funds are used for cash vouchers. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas previously served on HIAS' board and his appointment was commended by the group in 2021.
The U.N., through its 2023-2024 Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan (RMRP), states that there are over 200 NGOs listed as recipients of government grants with an additional 20 expected to join this list.
USAspending.gov reveals that PRM under the State Department and USAID have granted $1.4 billion in the past year alone.
CIS reports that Catholic Charities and its affiliates receive millions of dollars in grants annually. Caritas, a branch of Catholic Charities, is actively dispersing $12 million to migrants in Latin America in the form of debit cards and cash vouchers. Various faith-based NGOs representing Christian denominations, notably Lutherans and Adventists, receive direct funding from the U.S. Treasury to support their humanitarian efforts. The list of over 200 NGOs primarily focuses on their activities south of the U.S. border, although some like HIAS also aid immigrants once they've crossed into the United States. The U.N. plan identifies 57 international NGOs, including HIAS, along with 132 national NGOs. The plan also mentions a category labeled "Others," such as the Red Cross Movement. The U.N. plan underscores a collaboration between U.N. and U.S. agencies to expand NGO involvement along migration trails, possibly indicating an increased use of U.S. taxpayer funds to support these efforts.
Bensman is a senior national security fellow at CIS with experience in homeland security intelligence operations according to the CIS website.
