The Trump administration has raised concerns about how federal aid is being used by local governments and nonprofit organizations that have received federal grants. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expressed apprehension that these entities may be in violation of human smuggling laws due to their involvement in assisting immigrants.

Official Communication from FEMA

In a letter dated March 11 and signed by Cameron Hamilton, the acting administrator of FEMA, local governments and related organizations were urged to identify immigrants they’ve housed. The letter indicated that these organizations might be “encouraging or inducing” immigrants to enter or remain in the United States illegally.

FEMA has requested that these entities respond within 30 days with detailed lists of the immigrants they have assisted. As part of future compliance, organizations receiving FEMA grants will be required to affirm that they have no knowledge of any violations concerning human smuggling laws.

Impact of Federal Grants

The American Immigration Council has clarified that FEMA grants are allocated to groups and municipalities to assist migrants only after federal immigration processes have been completed. In fiscal year 2024, DHS awarded approximately $641 million in grants to support services for recently arrived migrants, with over $133 million of that allocated to more than 90 recipients in Texas.

Prominent recipients included various chapters of Catholic Charities across Texas, as well as municipalities such as El Paso, McAllen, and Brownsville.

Challenges Faced by Nonprofits

Some nonprofit organizations are expressing concern regarding the burdens imposed by this request. Victor Maldonado, the executive director of the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center in Brownsville, noted that compounding the requested data is overwhelming, especially given their current financial constraints due to a lack of federal funding.

Responses from Local Governments

In El Paso, officials acknowledged receiving FEMA grants but opted not to accept some funds, attributing the decision to a decline in migrant crossings at the Texas-Mexico border. Despite being awarded more than $23 million for FY 2024, city and county officials did not proceed with accepting the funds.

Political Context and Investigations

The inquiry from FEMA aligns with ongoing efforts by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to scrutinize assistance provided by nonprofits aiding migrants. This initiative, initiated at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott in December 2022, aims to investigate the involvement of these organizations in facilitating undocumented migration. Paxton’s office has launched investigations into specific nonprofits, demanding lists of affected immigrants and claiming violations of state law.

Paxton’s ongoing legal battles include actions against the Annunciation House in El Paso and Catholic Charities in McAllen, both of which assist migrants. These cases remain in the courts, with appeals currently pending.