U.S. Representative Lance Gooden (R-Texas) has requested the records of Jose Ibarra, the suspect in the death of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, for examination. In a post on an undisclosed platform, Gooden stated that Covenant House, a non-governmental organization (NGO), provided housing assistance to Ibarra when he illegally crossed the border in 2022.
"I am demanding the Biden-funded NGO @CovenantHouse turns over all records related to Laken Riley's killer, Jose Ibarra," said Gooden," said Rep. Lance Gooden, US Rep. (R-TX), according to X. "Ibarra listed the Covenant House as his release address per CBP records. Taxpayers shouldn't fund NGOs that harbor illegals!"
According to Fox News, Gooden penned a letter to Covenant House, a nonprofit comprised of youth shelters, accusing it of housing Ibarra. The latter individual, who Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) confirmed had listed Covenant House as his sponsor, illegally entered the country in 2022 and was later charged with the murder of Augusta University student Laken Riley in February 2024. "I have been fighting to hold NGOs like Covenant House accountable for years. Their usage of federal funds to traffic millions of migrants is unacceptable and has now become deadly," Gooden said in his letter.
Rep. Lance Gooden on X
| https://twitter.com/Lancegooden/status/1762611012245524886
An article from Complicit Clergy highlighted that Covenant House aims to provide housing for homeless or trafficked youths aged between 16 and 21. However, according to the charity’s most recent 990 Form, it raised approximately $91 million in 2022. Between 2021 and 2023, it recorded a sum of approximately $70 million in taxpayer funds. The article underscored that Covenant House is just one among many Catholic charities across the U.S. receiving such funding.
In another post on X, Gooden stated: "NGOs don't just encourage illegal immigration. They support and participate in the trafficking of human beings."
The Federal Newswire reported that government agencies are directing taxpayer money towards faith-based nonprofits, thereby aiding "mass" illegal migration into the U.S. Over 200 NGOs received $1.6 billion in 2024 alone. Some organizations like Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) have spent millions of dollars assisting migrants from Latin America. Government grants also support Catholic Charities and other faith-based NGOs, primarily focusing on aiding migrants south of the U.S. border. This collaboration between U.N. and U.S. agencies suggests a growing use of taxpayer funds to support these efforts.
According to his official website, Gooden was first elected in 2018. He previously served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives and currently represents Texas' 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gooden is a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Armed Services Committee.
