U.S. lawmakers are taking aim at NGOs allegedly aiding illegal immigration, proposing new bills to scrutinize and potentially limit their activities.
At a Glance
- Two bills introduced to regulate NGOs involved in immigration activities
- Legislation aims to revoke tax-exempt status and federal funding for non-compliant NGOs
- Bills respond to concerns about NGOs’ roles during the 2021-2024 migration crisis
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has already halted funding to certain nonprofits
- Measures follow Trump administration’s previous funding crackdown on these organizations
Proposed Legislation Targets NGOs Aiding Illegal Immigration
In response to the ongoing immigration crisis at the southern border, U.S. lawmakers are introducing new legislation aimed at regulating Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) believed to be supporting illegal immigration activities. Representative Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Senator Bill Hagerty are spearheading these efforts with two separate bills designed to impose limits on NGOs accused of undermining U.S. immigration law.
Rep. Gooden’s proposed “Protecting Federal Funds from Human Trafficking and Smuggling Act” seeks to prevent federal contracts and grants from being awarded to NGOs involved in human trafficking or smuggling. The bill mandates that organizations certify their compliance with federal law and undergo verification to ensure illegal immigrants do not receive benefits.
Tax-Exempt Status at Risk for Non-Compliant NGOs
Senator Hagerty’s “Fixing Exemptions for Networks Choosing to Enable Illegal Migration (Fence) Act” takes a different approach, aiming to strip tax-exempt status from organizations that provide support to individuals unlawfully present in the United States. This measure would require NGOs to actively avoid assisting illegal immigrants to maintain their tax-exempt status.
“Tax-exempt status is a privilege, not a right, and these organizations will be able to preserve their tax-exempt status simply by ceasing these activities,” Hagerty’s office said.
These legislative efforts come amid broader questions about the funding and activities of NGOs involved in immigration issues. The bills aim to establish permanent limits on organizations that lawmakers believe are exploiting taxpayer dollars under the guise of humanitarian aid.
Government Action and Ongoing Concerns
The proposed legislation follows recent actions taken by the government to address concerns about NGO involvement in illegal immigration. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced a halt in funding to nonprofits accused of facilitating illegal immigration, signaling an intensifying focus on the influence of these organizations in the migration crisis.
“Many of these NGOs actually have infrastructure and operations set up in Mexico, on that side of the border, and are telling those illegal immigrants to come to them, and they will get them across the border. So they’re not just operating in the United States, they’re operating outside the United States to help make it easier for those who want to break our laws,” Noem said.
The Trump administration had previously initiated a funding crackdown on these organizations, with President Trump signing an Executive Order for a review of federal funding to NGOs. The current bills aim to build upon these efforts and establish more permanent oversight mechanisms.
