A recently released audit shows that the Biden administration distributed more than $22.6 billion in federal grants that benefited illegal immigrants. The money, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), funded a variety of financial assistance programs, including loans for homes, vehicles, and small businesses.
ORR’s spending saw a sharp increase during Biden’s presidency, peaking at more than $10 billion in fiscal year 2023. This surge in funding coincided with a historic rise in illegal border crossings, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting 2.4 million apprehensions that same year. Critics argue that these financial programs encouraged more illegal immigration by providing extensive benefits upon arrival.
The grants included up to $1.7 billion in direct financial assistance, such as small-business loans of up to $15,000, savings matches for major purchases, and credit-building programs offering up to $1,500 in loans. Additional funding was allocated for legal assistance, housing, and Medicaid coverage. While some programs required participants to meet specific residency or income thresholds, the broader eligibility expansion under the Biden administration made more illegal immigrants eligible for financial aid.
One of the largest areas of spending — $12.4 billion — was used for unaccompanied migrant children. Despite this, ORR faced major criticism for failing to track thousands of minors placed with sponsors. Reports revealed that 32,000 children under the agency’s care were missing, with whistleblowers pointing to a lack of proper oversight in sponsor placements.
Concerns have also been raised about the connections between ORR officials and nonprofit groups receiving federal funding. Robin Dunn Marcos, a former ORR executive, previously worked for organizations that later received significant government grants. Though she officially recused herself from decisions involving her past employers, OpenTheBooks has requested additional documents to investigate whether favoritism influenced the allocation of funds.
Similar spending issues have emerged in other federal agencies. FEMA faced backlash after allocating $80 million to house migrants in New York City hotels, an expenditure later rescinded under the Trump administration. As investigations continue, more information may surface about how taxpayer dollars have been used in programs benefiting illegal immigrants.
