Catholic Charities has released an instructional video aimed at educating immigrants and refugees about their rights during interactions with ICE. The video below shows federally funded Catholic Charities coaching illegals on how to evade immigration authorities and how to legally handle such encounters without promoting illegal activities. It has stirred controversy among some political figures and commentators who criticize the organization for aiding undocumented immigrants. This has led to discussions regarding the funding and operational ethics of NGOs like Catholic Charities.
On Sunday, Vice President JD Vance suggested to CBS News’ Margaret Brennan in an interview that Catholic bishops concerned over President Donald Trump’s immigration plans just care about money. Appearing on Face the Nation, Vance told Brennan, “As a practicing Catholic, I was actually heartbroken by that statement and I think that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops needs to actually look in the mirror a little bit and recognize that when they receive over $100 million to help resettle illegal immigrants, are they worried about humanitarian concerns? Or are they actually worried about their bottom line?“
Catholic Charities shocking video instructing Illegals on how to avoid ICE.
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) January 27, 2025
You tax dollars fund this sh*t. They receive millions in Government grants. pic.twitter.com/LtG0OLGYwr
Catholic Charities primarily focuses its work with immigrants, including those who are undocumented or seeking asylum, along the U.S.-Mexico border and in major U.S. cities where there is a significant immigrant population. To be fair, some Catholic Charities work interacts with individuals who are in various stages of legal processing, including those seeking asylum or who have been processed for temporary legal status in the U.S.
- Border Regions: Catholic Charities has a strong presence in border areas like Texas, Arizona, and California. For example, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley and Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo are actively involved in providing humanitarian aid, including shelter, food, legal assistance, and transportation to immigrants who have been processed by U.S. Border Patrol or ICE. These organizations work within the legal frameworks provided by federal agencies, assisting immigrants who have been given temporary permission to remain in the U.S. while their legal status is adjudicated.
- Major Cities: In cities like Chicago, New York, Denver, and Houston, Catholic Charities helps with resettlement, legal assistance, and social services. For instance, in Chicago, there have been reports of Catholic Charities aiding in the housing of immigrants, suggesting a focus on integration and support services in urban areas. In Houston, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston assists with family reunification, legal representation, and support services for children and families crossing the border.
- Nationwide: Beyond the border and large cities, Catholic Charities operates across the U.S., helping immigrants through various programs in smaller communities as well. This includes providing legal aid, counseling, and basic necessities. Their work is often coordinated with federal, state, and local governments, especially where there are programs aimed at refugee resettlement or immigrant integration.
According to recent information, Catholic Charities USA reported receiving substantial government support, with figures suggesting around $1.4 billion annually from federal government sources for various services, (not all of which are related to immigration.)
Regarding the portion of this funding that is spent on services for illegal immigrants, there’s no single, definitive figure as it’s often integrated into broader humanitarian aid efforts. However, there are specific instances and programs where Catholic Charities has been funded to assist migrants:
- In 2024, Catholic Charities of San Antonio received $10,877,226 from a federal appropriations bill specifically aimed at humanitarian relief at the border, though this is not exclusively for “illegal” immigrants but for all migrants in need.
- Catholic Charities has been involved in programs like FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program, now known as the Shelter and Services Program, where they receive reimbursements for providing aid, including food, shelter, and in some cases, transportation to migrants who have been processed by U.S. authorities. The funding for these services can be in the millions, with one report mentioning $10.9 million for operating a Migrant Resource Center through September 2025.
The exact amount spent specifically on “illegal immigrants” is not clearly delineated in public reports, but the organization’s activities in this area are often funded through government contracts aimed at humanitarian aid, which inherently includes assisting undocumented individuals among others.