DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Announces End to Funding for NGOs Aiding Illegal Immigration

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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Wednesday on Fox News that the agency will halt grant funding to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have allegedly misused federal funds to assist in illegal immigration.

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With the reversal of previous Biden-Harris policies, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched operations targeting criminal offenders, including individuals convicted of violent crimes such as murder and sexual assault. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s commitment to strengthening border security and curbing unlawful migration.

Speaking on The Will Cain Show, Noem stated that taxpayer dollars have been funneled to NGOs that contribute to what she described as an “invasion” of the United States. She confirmed that DHS has taken action to reassess and restrict this funding.

“Today, we are stopping all grant funding that has been exploited by NGOs to facilitate illegal immigration,” Noem declared. “It’s shocking how hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have been allocated to organizations that are effectively aiding this crisis. We are taking decisive action to redirect those funds toward initiatives that actually protect Americans and strengthen our nation.”

She emphasized the need for strict oversight of federal grants, ensuring they are not used in ways that undermine national security. “We’re not going to spend another cent on programs that contribute to the breakdown of this country,” Noem added. “President Trump made it clear that our priority is to secure the border, deport those violating our laws, and ensure taxpayer funds are not supporting unlawful activities.”

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During her first White House press briefing on Tuesday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether Trump planned to permanently cut off funding to organizations that assist migrants, such as Catholic Charities. Leavitt responded that she was “quite certain” the administration intended to do so, citing an executive order the president had signed to address the issue.

Reports from June 2023 indicated that NGOs and religiously affiliated groups played a significant role in aiding migrants entering cities like New York. NewsNation found that organizations such as Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service received substantial federal funding—over $93 million in grants in 2021 alone, accounting for nearly 80% of their budget.

Noem also highlighted that these NGOs are operating not only within the U.S. but also across the southern border. “Many of these organizations have established operations in Mexico, where they actively encourage illegal immigrants to seek their assistance in crossing into the U.S.,” she explained. “They’re facilitating border crossings, making it easier for individuals to violate our immigration laws.”

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