A new watchdog report has exposed that the Biden administration spent tens of billions of dollars in grants for migrants and refugees through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The report, conducted by Open the Books, revealed that federal spending on these programs surged dramatically in recent years, peaking at $10 billion in fiscal year 2023 before dropping to $4.2 billion in 2024.
The ORR, responsible for assisting refugees and unaccompanied migrant children, distributed $2.4 billion in nonprofit grants in 2021, followed by $3.4 billion in 2022. However, the dramatic jump to $10 billion in 2023 raised concerns, especially amid a historic surge in illegal border crossings. The report found that funding covered not only basic assistance but also financial support for home and car purchases, business and personal loans, legal aid, and cultural integration programs.
Open the Books CEO John Hart criticized the spending, arguing that struggling American taxpayers should not be burdened with the cost of aiding individuals entering the country illegally. “How is it moral to ask Americans who have lost everything to pay for someone who wants to come here illegally?” Hart told Fox News.
The revelation comes as federal agencies face increased scrutiny over migration-related spending. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced the retrieval of $59 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds originally allocated for migrant hotels in New York City. The agency also dismissed four FEMA employees linked to the disbursement of these funds. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that taxpayer money would not be spent in ways that compromise public safety or national interest.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has intensified border security measures, halting refugee resettlements, expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, and declaring a national emergency at the southern border. These efforts signal a shift in federal policy toward stricter immigration enforcement.
As debates over immigration spending continue, the report’s findings are likely to fuel further discussions on government priorities and the economic impact of federal migrant assistance programs.