Trump administration ends Miami Catholic Charities funding. Here's why 17.04.2026

The Trump administration, through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has canceled over $11 million in funding to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami. This funding, previously awarded in fiscal year 2025, officially ended on March 31, with the non-renewal decision made on February 16. HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard cited a drop in unaccompanied children in ORR care and the administration's efforts to curb illegal entry and trafficking as reasons for the decision. Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami has called for a review, highlighting the organization's long-standing partnership with ORR since 1960, which began with Operation "Pedro Pan" and continued through services at the Msgr. Bryan O. Walsh Children’s Village, a facility capable of housing 81 minors. Wenski expressed bafflement at the shutdown, noting it will force the closure of unaccompanied minor services within three months.















