The Department of Health and Human Services has terminated an $11 million federal contract with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, a decision that will shutter a shelter housing approximately 1,900 unaccompanied migrant children. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the HHS sub-agency overseeing the program, informed the organization that its funding would not be renewed, ending a relationship that has lasted more than six decades.
Administration Cites Facility Consolidation
In a statement, HHS press secretary Emily G. Hillard framed the move as part of a broader effort to streamline operations. "ORR is closing and consolidating unused facilities as the Trump administration continues efforts to stop illegal entry and the smuggling and trafficking of unaccompanied alien children," Hillard said. The final decision was made on February 16, with the organization notified in March, according to agency officials.
The shelter provides housing and care for migrant children who have entered the United States without a parent or guardian. The religious non-profit effectively operates a federally funded foster care system for this population. An HHS official noted the facility's current daily population is 1,900 minors, a sharp decline from the 22,000 it housed during the Biden administration, a shift reflecting changing migration patterns and enforcement policies.
Archdiocese Decries 'Abrupt' End to Long Partnership
Archbishop Thomas Wenski strongly criticized the decision in a statement to the Miami Herald editorial board. "The U.S. government has abruptly decided to end more than 60 years of relationship with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Miami," Wenski wrote. He defended the program's record, stating, "The Archdiocese of Miami’s services for unaccompanied minors have been recognized for their excellence and have served as a model for other agencies throughout the country."
Wenski warned of the consequences, noting the organization will be forced to cease operations within three months. "Our track record in serving this vulnerable population is unmatched. Yet, the Archdiocese of Miami’s Catholic Charities’ services for unaccompanied minors has been stripped of funding," he said. The archdiocese is expected to hold a press conference to address the termination.
White House Disputes Timeline, Defends Broader Policy
The White House pushed back on the characterization of recent notification. Senior deputy press secretary Kush Desai labeled the Miami Herald's reporting "Fake News" in a post on X. Desai stated that 49 charities with federal grants for unaccompanied children were informed last year their grants would not be renewed, and only two of those were Catholic groups. He would not confirm to The Hill whether the Miami archdiocese's charity was one of those two.
This contract termination occurs against a backdrop of heightened tension between the Trump administration and Catholic leadership over immigration policy. The administration has previously clashed with the Church, including after a senior border adviser told the Catholic Church to 'stay out of immigration' following papal criticism of U.S. border measures. The move also aligns with a broader GOP-led immigration crackdown that threatens other pathways for immigrant youth.
The closure of this facility raises immediate questions about the capacity of the federal shelter system as the administration pursues stricter border enforcement. It also highlights the operational strains within HHS and its partner agencies, concerns that have been echoed by officials warning about systemic pressures, including a White House budget chief who recently warned the Homeland Security Department is nearing collapse due to funding and policy challenges.
The Archdiocese of Miami did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill. The termination of this contract marks a significant policy and operational shift in the federal government's approach to caring for unaccompanied migrant children, ending a long-standing partnership with a major religious service provider.
