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Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE, is digging into the complexities of federal spending, uncovering troubling financial patterns. Their findings reveal an intricate web of taxpayer funds misallocated under the Biden administration, particularly concerning illegal immigration.
For more than two years, I have reported on the Biden administration’s approach to managing illegal immigration and its financial implications. This coverage has yielded notable revelations, including reports highlighting how DOGE identified $59 million in extravagant payments for hotel accommodations. This story illustrates the broader issue of how taxpayer dollars are being utilized.
As a result of Biden’s policies promoting open borders and expansive parole programs, millions of individuals entered the United States illegally over the past four years. This surge prompted Congress to allocate $31 billion to the Department of Health and Human Services, aimed at granting housing, medical, and legal support to these individuals.
However, it is essential to recognize that the Biden administration has not only allowed this influx but has also actively facilitated mass migration via the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA’s primary mission focuses on aiding Americans affected by disasters, not supporting illegal immigrants.
Through the collaboration of various federal entities, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Biden administration routed billions to FEMA. This agency subsequently allocated funds to states, cities, and nonprofit organizations to assist with the transportation, housing, and care of illegal aliens.
From Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2024, Congress earmarked $2.2 billion for FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program. This program empowers nonprofits and local organizations to support noncitizens released from custody under the Department of Homeland Security. Essentially, this funding covers costs associated with illegal aliens released at the border.
Looking specifically at the budget for 2024, FEMA designated $640.9 million in Shelter and Services grants. This financial support is intended to help non-federal entities offset allowable expenses related to the arrival of noncitizen migrants in their communities. Notably, the principal beneficiaries of these funds have included cities like Denver, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York—all of which have implemented sanctuary policies that provide housing and services to illegal immigrants.
In addition to these initiatives, the Biden administration has leveraged the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, designed to assist homeless veterans, redirecting another billion dollars towards housing illegal immigrants. The recent discovery of $59 million by DOGE refers to a single FEMA grant intended for housing illegal immigrants in New York City. Reports indicate that this funding helped establish over 200 temporary shelters, including some in former luxury hotels.
This occurrence is not isolated; rather, it exemplifies a broader trend of federal subsidies benefiting sanctuary cities. The grants dispersed by FEMA are just one mechanism the Biden administration employs to facilitate an unauthorized immigration system funded by taxpayers.
Conventionally, refugees vetted and authorized for entry into the United States would do so through the United States Refugee Admissions Program. This program, supported by the U.S. government, already enlisted a network of NGOs and charities, such as Catholic Charities and Lutheran Refugee and Immigrant Services, to assist in the resettlement of refugees.
However, the Biden administration fueled this NGO network with billions in federal funding. As a result, these organizations transitioned from managing a limited number of refugee cases per year to handling millions of cases across various initiatives.
In a testimony to the House Homeland Security Committee in November 2024, retired Border Patrol officer J.J. Carrell reported that the Department of Homeland Security was distributing checks amounting to $600 million to Jewish Family Services every three months. This dramatic increase highlights the scale of government support for noncitizens.
Moreover, various Lutheran charities received over $550 million in federal aid in Fiscal Year 2024, primarily for migration efforts. Catholic Charities USA alone garnered $1.4 billion in federal grants during 2021, illustrating the level of financial commitment directed toward noncitizen programs.
A significant portion of these taxpayer dollars directly contributed to the importation of illegal immigrants into the United States. While many Americans recognize the challenges associated with an extensive border policy, the misuse of federal funds to support these policies might not be as apparent.
Elon Musk’s DOGE brings a critical perspective to these financial realities, shedding light on the magnitude of federal involvement in facilitating illegal immigration.
As the discussion surrounding illegal immigration continues to evolve, scrutiny of federal spending and its implications will remain crucial. The need for transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is allocated cannot be overstated.
