A Catholic charity, which receives billions in government funding, has become the center of controversy due to a video that instructs migrants who are in the country illegally on how to evade US immigration law.
In this video, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Refugee & Immigration Services Program shares valuable insights from immigration attorney Barbara Graham. She provides a detailed guide on how migrants can effectively navigate workplace investigations carried out by authorities.
Graham advised people not to panic or run away in fearful situations. Instead, he suggested calmly walking towards the exit if they felt the need to leave.
She continued, advising, “In the event that you are stopped, it is within your rights to inquire if you are free to leave. However, if the officer informs you that you are not, it is important to refrain from attempting to exit the premises. Moreover, if you find yourself being questioned, you have the option to exercise your right to remain silent.”
In addition, she proposed that individuals without legal immigration status should resist cooperating with authorities by declining to provide information about their place of birth or their entry into the United States.
In 2021, Catholic Charities USA, a 114-year-old organization based in Virginia, received nearly $2 million in federal grants, as reported by a financial audit conducted by ProPublica.
According to the New York Times, back in 2010, the group’s local affiliates were receiving an annual total of almost $2.9 billion from the government. This constituted about 62% of their overall annual revenue of $4.67 billion.
Catholic Charities USA, on its official website, expresses its commitment to upholding the federal government’s responsibility and authority to regulate borders. At the same time, it advocates for bipartisan, practical, and compassionate measures to address the deficiencies in our nation’s immigration system.
According to the organization, one of its 119 affiliates has provided immigration assistance to 638,000 individuals.
In the video providing legal advice, Graham suggests a tip for undocumented immigrants who are being questioned by authorities. According to him, individuals can choose to decline showing their identification documents, refuse to disclose their country of origin, and decline to sign any paperwork until they have the opportunity to request a pro-bono attorney.
In a recent post on X, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) expressed his concern about Catholic Charities USA and called for their defunding. He highlighted the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new initiative by President Trump.
Burchett criticized the charitable group for engaging in political tactics regarding the immigrant crisis in a subsequent statement to The Post.
“These nongovernmental organizations and Catholic charities have been responsible for an overwhelming influx of undocumented individuals into our country over the past four years. This trend is occurring on both sides of the border, and is supported by taxpayer funds. However, their actions are not beneficial to anyone,” he emphasized.
He emphasized that the main focus should be on locating the over 300,000 children who have been misplaced by NGOs and Catholic charities, rather than providing legal guidance to individuals who have violated the law and are currently residing in the United States unlawfully.
Burchett was specifically addressing the issue of the 300,000 migrant children who entered the United States during the Biden administration. These children were released to sponsors without any immigration appointments, which essentially means that the Department of Homeland Security has no means of effectively monitoring and keeping track of their whereabouts.
Users quickly expressed their disapproval of the humanitarian group for getting involved in politics, criticizing them for their stance on X.
A commenter humorously suggested that it is time for them to lose their tax status.
Another person expressed their opinion, stating that these individuals should face arrest and prosecution for their involvement in aiding and abetting a federal crime.
One frustrated user expressed their anger, stating, “It’s incredibly frustrating to see organizations like Catholic Charities, whose purpose is to assist people, actively working against the laws established to safeguard our nation.”
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have caused trouble for more than just Catholic Charities USA in recent days.
During his first interview as vice president on CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” JD Vance expressed skepticism towards the motives of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, the largest refugee resettlement agency globally. Vance questioned their condemnation of Trump’s efforts to address illegal immigration.
During an interview with host Margaret Brennan, Vance expressed his disappointment with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ lack of support for common-sense immigration enforcement. As a devout Catholic himself, Vance hopes that the organization will improve its approach in the future.
In a direct and pointed manner, he raised an important question, urging the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to reflect upon their actions. With over $100 million received to aid in the resettlement of undocumented immigrants, he questioned whether their concern truly lies with humanitarian needs or if it is driven by financial motives.
“We will ensure the enforcement of immigration law and prioritize the protection of the American people,” he declared.
In the audited financial statements reviewed by America magazine, it was found that the bishops group received approximately $122.6 million in 2022 and around $129.6 million in 2023 for services related to refugees.
The Migration and Refugee Services department of the organization takes pride in resettling around 18% of the refugees who arrive in the United States annually.
Trump and his border czar, Tom Homan, are determined to address the issue of illegal immigration. They aim to put an end to the uncontrolled influx of migrants into the country, which occurred during the Biden administration’s open-border policy. Approximately 8 million migrants entered the country during that period.
In just one week following Trump’s second inauguration, federal immigration agents have been conducting daily operations to apprehend hundreds of migrant criminals nationwide. The average number of arrests per day currently stands at 433.