Report: Biden Admin Spent $22.6 Billion on Migrant Aid, Including Housing, Cars, and Business Loans

NEW YORK – A new watchdog report, first reported by the New York Post on Thursday, has revealed that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) significantly increased its spending on migrant assistance from 2020 to 2024, allocating $22.6 billion in taxpayer funds. The money, distributed through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), covered a wide range of benefits, including housing assistance, vehicles, small business loans, credit repair, legal aid, and Medicaid. Critics argue these programs acted as an incentive for illegal immigration while lacking proper oversight.

During Joe Biden’s presidency, ORR expanded the eligibility criteria for noncitizens seeking aid. The agency allocated over $10 billion in grants in 2023 alone, coinciding with record-breaking illegal border crossings—2.4 million apprehensions that year. A significant portion of the funds went toward unaccompanied minors, with $12.4 billion spent over five years. Federal whistleblowers have criticized ORR for placing many of the 291,000 migrant children in their care with unvetted sponsors, some of whom were later found to be abusive or involved in exploitative labor practices.

Among the grants distributed, up to $1.7 billion went to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provided services such as dollar-for-dollar matching savings plans for homes, cars, and education; small-business loans of up to $15,000; credit repair loans of up to $1,500; and cultural orientation programs. Many of these services were only available to migrants and refugees who had been in the U.S. for years, were employed, or earned below double the federal poverty level.

The ORR also funded legal representation for migrants while simultaneously eliminating previous requirements that refugees quickly become self-sufficient. Critics argue that this shift incentivized long-term dependency on government assistance rather than encouraging economic independence.

Two of the top recipients of ORR grants over the past four years were Church World Services, which opposed Biden’s agreement with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to close an asylum loophole at the northern border, and the International Rescue Committee. Together, these organizations received nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funds—$355 million and $598 million, respectively.

The report also raises concerns over ORR’s leadership, particularly Robin Dunn Marcos, who led the office overseeing unaccompanied minors and previously worked for both Church World Services and the International Rescue Committee. While she officially recused herself from approving grants for her former employers, watchdogs have questioned whether her past affiliations influenced ORR’s funding decisions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also faced scrutiny for its role in migrant assistance, after allocating $80 million to house migrants in New York City hotels and provide additional services. The Trump administration recently moved to claw back these funds, arguing that such expenditures were inappropriate given the ongoing border crisis.

The revelations about ORR’s funding practices have reignited debates over border security, immigration policy, and government accountability. Critics argue that the agency’s financial decisions not only burden taxpayers but also create a system that encourages more illegal immigration. As the Trump administration resumes control, questions remain about the future of these programs and whether reforms will be implemented to ensure better oversight of taxpayer funds.