A new audit has exposed how the Biden administration directed more than $22.6 billion to nonprofit organizations that provided financial aid to illegal immigrants. These funds, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), covered everything from housing assistance to startup loans for businesses.
Between 2020 and 2024, ORR grants surged, peaking in 2023 with over $10 billion distributed in a single year. The funding coincided with record numbers of illegal border crossings, with 2.4 million apprehensions reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection during that period. Critics have pointed to these financial incentives as a major factor encouraging illegal immigration.
The grants provided up to $1.7 billion in direct aid programs, including savings matches for car and home purchases, small-business loans of up to $15,000, and financial support for college tuition. Some programs also assisted with credit repair through loans of up to $1,500. While certain programs had residency or income requirements, the broad expansion of eligibility under the Biden administration meant a larger number of illegal immigrants benefited from these taxpayer-funded initiatives.
A significant portion of ORR’s spending—$12.4 billion—was allocated for unaccompanied minors. Despite this, the agency came under fire for losing track of 32,000 migrant children after placing them with sponsors, some of whom were later found to be unvetted. Whistleblowers have raised concerns about ORR’s failure to properly monitor these placements.
Some of the nonprofit groups receiving these grants have ties to former ORR officials. Robin Dunn Marcos, a former ORR leader, previously worked for organizations that later secured significant government funding. While officials claim she recused herself from decisions involving past employers, watchdog group OpenTheBooks has requested additional records to investigate whether favoritism played a role in the distribution of funds.
Concerns over federal spending on illegal immigrants extend beyond ORR. FEMA faced scrutiny after directing $80 million to migrant housing in New York City hotels, a decision later reversed by the Trump administration. As additional audits continue, more details may emerge about how taxpayer dollars have been used in these programs.
