A House Homeland Security Committee hearing focused on NGOs and their work with migrants during the Biden administration. The committee initially named Catholic Charities USA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a probe. Rep. Michael Guest stated the committee is not targeting all NGOs, but those who profited from illegal immigration. The hearing was titled "An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis."
16 days ago
The House Committee on Homeland Security held a contentious hearing on July 16, 2025, titled "An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis," alleging that over 200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) incentivized and facilitated illegal entry during the Biden-Harris administration 1. This hearing followed a June 11 press release from the same committee that explicitly named Catholic Charities USA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) among the NGOs targeted for a probe 1.
During the hearing, Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), chairman of the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, appeared to narrow the scope of the investigation 1. Guest stated that the committee was "not casting a broad net on every non-governmental organization" but was instead focusing on "those handful of nonprofits who received their money almost exclusively from grants from the federal government" 1. He specifically mentioned that the probe was not targeting organizations like Catholic Charities, Red Cross, or Samaritan's Purse, which he described as using money for good 1. However, Rep. Elijah Crane (R-Ariz.) maintained that Catholic Charities should be subject to the probe for allegedly facilitating illegal immigration 1.
Democrats on the committee, including Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), strongly criticized the probe, pointing to the committee's initial press release that accused various faith-based and secular charities of "supercharging the business model of cartels" 1. Thompson called these accusations "slanderous" and "fringe conspiracy theories," describing the probe as an "attack on diverse faith-based organizations over their religious practices" and a "threat to charities that do humanitarian work Republicans do not like" 1. Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.) echoed this sentiment, calling the committee's efforts "deeply offensive to Catholics across this nation" and suggesting they "reek of anti-Catholicism" 1.
Catholic Charities USA affirmed its appreciation for bipartisan compliments regarding its work, stating that its 168 independent agencies served over 16 million people in need last year, including migrants, as a response to the Gospel mandate 1. Kevin Brennan, Vice President for Media Relations at Catholic Charities USA, highlighted that federal, state, and local governments have relied on their agencies for decades due to their "exceptional, compassionate care" 1. The USCCB confirmed it had responded to the committee's questions, noting its 45-year history of partnering with the federal government to serve authorized groups like refugees and asylum-seekers 1. Retired Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn submitted written testimony emphasizing the Catholic Church's role as a major social service network that partners with government, adheres to laws, and works to uphold human rights and dignity 1.
J. Kevin Appleby, a senior fellow at the Center for Migration Studies and former director of migration policy for the USCCB, emphasized that the Church has been a valuable partner to Border Patrol in supporting asylum-seekers who legally enter the country 1. He stated that Catholic agencies effectively fill service gaps that the government cannot, operating within the law 1. Catholic social teaching on immigration balances the right of individuals to migrate for sustenance, a country's right to regulate borders, and a nation's duty to conduct regulation with justice and mercy 1.
What is the Church's role in aiding migrants?
The Catholic Church plays a multifaceted role in aiding migrants, rooted in its theological understanding of human dignity, charity, and the Gospel mandate to "welcome the stranger" . This role encompasses direct humanitarian assistance, advocacy for just policies, and fostering integration within communities.
The Church's commitment to migrants is deeply embedded in its teachings and the example of Christ. The Holy Family's flight into Egypt is seen as an archetype for every refugee family, making Jesus, Mary, and Joseph models and protectors of all migrants . Pope Francis emphasizes that Matthew 25, which calls believers to "welcome the stranger," is a constant reminder to see Christ himself in the migrant . This perspective elevates the act of welcoming migrants to an encounter with Christ, making it a fundamental aspect of Christian charity and a visible sign of God's love and mercy .
Furthermore, the Church teaches that all human beings possess the same intrinsic dignity, regardless of their origin, race, or religion . This inalienable dignity forms the basis for the supreme law of fraternal love, which compels Christians to care for those in need .
Catholic organizations provide a wide range of humanitarian and religious services to migrants and refugees, including those who may have entered a country without authorization . These services are not seen as encouraging unlawful migration but rather as a response to the complex "push-pull factors" that influence migration decisions . The Church's presence along a migrant's journey aims to treat newcomers with love and respect, in accordance with God's law and civil law, where applicable .
Examples of direct assistance include:
While affirming a sovereign country's right to control its borders for the common good, the Church maintains that this right is not unlimited and must be balanced with the duty to welcome newcomers with charity and respect for human dignity . The Church advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that includes:
The Church also emphasizes that the detention of immigrants should be used to protect public safety, not for deterrence or punishment, and encourages alternatives to detention, such as community-based programs .
The Church actively works to foster the integration of migrants into society and combat xenophobia . This involves:
The Church also reminds public authorities of their responsibility to protect migrants and regulate migratory flows with prudence, while promoting welcome and encouraging local populations to participate in the integrative process .
In summary, the Church's role in aiding migrants is comprehensive, encompassing spiritual, humanitarian, and advocacy dimensions, all grounded in the belief in the inherent dignity of every human person and the Christian call to love and serve those in need.