USCCB and Catholic Charities Received $449 Million by Exploiting Migrant Children, by Vicki Yamasaki

We are deeply troubled by the news of missing migrant children, and our concern intensifies with the revelation that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Charities have received millions in federal funds to manage these vulnerable unaccompanied minors. This issue strikes at the heart of our faith, especially as we approach the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita on February 8th, the patron saint of human trafficking victims.

The Unsettling Reality of Unaccompanied Migrant Children

During President Biden’s administration, an estimated 500,000 unaccompanied migrant children crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Tom Homan, former acting director of ICE, and other sources, over 300,000 of these children have gone missing after being placed in the care of HHS through NGOs. Shockingly, there has been no concerted effort to track down 291,000 unaccompanied migrant children, according to HHS testimony last year. ICE was able to locate another 32,000 of the unaccompanied migrant children, but these children missed their court hearings. This leaves us with a grim reality: 323,000 children are unlocated, and their safety is uncertain, making them vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.

The Catholic NGOs Involved

Here are the Gang of Four Catholic NGOs who “served” the unaccompanied children across the border (unaccompanied alien children “UAC):

• Catholic Charities USA: They provide immediate shelter, food, and long-term support like legal aid and health services, directly managing the day-to-day care for many unaccompanied minors.

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB): Acts as a coordinator for the UAC program, managing funds and programs, including shelter services and legal representation, often subcontracting to Catholic Charities.

• Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC): Focuses on legal aid, not shelter, offering support to unaccompanied children in navigating immigration laws.

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS): Engages in advocacy for migrant issues, including UAC, from a policy perspective.

Catholic Charities, in particular, has received intense scrutiny, for the sheer volume of children they have trafficked, and their role in fracturing the family unit as well as placing children with unvetted sponsors. Whistleblower Tara Rodas has highlighted a system where children end up in exploitative conditions due to insufficient oversight.

Catholic NGOs Receive Nearly Half Billion Dollars for Unaccompanied Migrant Children

CUP’s research (through analysis of USASpending.gov) reveals the USCCB and Catholic Charities have received $449 million in total to shelter and transport unaccompanied migrant children. Here is how it breaks down.

Continue reading at CCUP

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