Ethan Walker
Catholic Charities, a Catholic charity that receives billions in government funding, has been accused of helping illegal migrants avoid ICE workplace probes. In a video, the charity advised immigrants to refuse to answer questions about their birthplace or how they entered the US, and to refuse to sign paperwork without a lawyer. While some have called for the charity to be defunded, others argue that it is important for people to know their rights when dealing with law enforcement. Catholic Charities provides a range of services to immigrants and refugees, including legal representation, support for unaccompanied immigrant children, and help with accessing essential resources. There have also been reports of ICE agents raiding churches in California, leading to a decline in attendance at Catholic and other houses of worship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advising illegal immigrants on how to evade ICE | Catholic Charities USA released a video advising illegal immigrants on how to evade ICE and deal with workplace probes. |
| Government Funding | Catholic Charities receives billions in government funding. |
| Immigrant Support | Catholic Charities provides support to immigrants, including food, shelter, and legal services. |
| ICE Raids | There have been reports of ICE agents raiding churches and parish properties in California. |
| Impact on Worship Attendance | The presence of ICE agents in churches has led to a decline in attendance, as people fear being questioned or detained. |
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What You'll Learn
Catholic Charities' video advising migrants on how to respond to ICE
Catholic Charities USA has come under fire for a video advising migrants on how to respond to ICE. The video, distributed by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Refugee & Immigration Services Program, features immigration attorney Barbara Graham. Graham outlines step-by-step instructions for migrants on how to avoid authorities conducting lawful investigations at their workplaces.
In the video, Graham advises migrants not to panic or run away if they encounter ICE authorities. She suggests calmly walking towards the exit and asking if they are free to leave. If the officer says no, she recommends not trying to exit the building. Migrants are also told they may refuse to answer questions about their birthplace or how they entered the country. They are further instructed to refuse to show identity documents and to refuse to sign any paperwork until they have spoken to a lawyer.
The video has sparked controversy, with some accusing Catholic Charities of aiding illegal immigration and calling for the organization to be defunded. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., has been particularly vocal in calling for defunding, arguing that the priority should be on finding the thousands of migrant children who entered the US during the Biden administration. Others have defended Catholic Charities, arguing that it is important for people to know their rights when dealing with law enforcement and that the organization provides valuable services to the poor and vulnerable.
The video was released just days before President Donald Trump took office, a time when he was following through on campaign promises related to illegal immigration. The release of the video in this context has added to the controversy, with some accusing Catholic Charities of taking a political stance. Catholic Charities has not responded to requests for comment.
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Catholic Charities' government funding
Catholic Charities is a Catholic institution that performs Catholic social teaching. It has been at the centre of controversy after it released a video advising migrants in the country illegally on how to avoid US immigration laws and evade the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The video also informed immigrants of their rights if they were stopped or questioned by ICE. The charity has also been accused of being run by left-wing idealists and performing acts of Marxism.
Catholic Charities receives billions in government funding, with "government sources" funding more than two-thirds of its annual spending. It has been providing fast, confidential, and accurate answers about immigration and citizenship-related questions through a multilingual immigration information and referral phone service. It also provides legal and support services to unaccompanied immigrant children detained in temporary federal shelter care in New York as they await reunification with a relative or transfer to foster care.
Catholic Charities also assists refugees, asylees, victims of trafficking, and other vulnerable individuals in securing housing, food, clothing, and other essential items. They also help connect children in need of specialized medical or psychological care with Terra Firma, a medical-legal partnership.
In response to the video, Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., called for Catholic Charities to be defunded. However, others have defended the charity, arguing that it is important for people to know their rights when dealing with law enforcement and that the charity performs noble work.
The Supreme Court has also backed Catholic Charities in a tax exemption case, ruling that the state government cannot interfere in the church's decisions about structuring its service entities. This decision has implications for other religiously affiliated nonprofits and affirms the First Amendment's protection of religious freedom.
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ICE's presence in churches
Catholic Charities, a Catholic charity that receives billions in government funding, has been criticised for producing a video advising migrants in the country illegally on how to evade US immigration law. The video, which was released just days before President Donald Trump took office, included advice such as refusing to answer questions about one's birthplace or how they entered the country, and exercising the right to remain silent.
While some have argued that the video is simply informing people of their legal rights, others have deemed it as assisting illegal people in avoiding the law. The charity has also been accused of pushing a large number of illegal immigrants into the country and misusing tax dollars. As a result, there have been calls for Catholic Charities to be defunded, with Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., leading the charge.
In June 2025, ICE agents were reported to have entered Catholic parish properties in Montclair and Highland, California, and detained several individuals. Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino stated that these actions have created a sense of fear, confusion, and anxiety among congregants, leading to a decline in attendance at Catholic churches. Rojas urged the government to halt immigration enforcement operations and respect the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which guides the church's actions.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, disputed these claims, stating that the ICE agents had conducted a traffic stop near one of the churches and that the individual being arrested had chosen to pull into the church parking lot. DHS also noted that they had not entered the church itself. Despite this, the presence of ICE agents in and around churches has caused tension and heightened concerns about immigration enforcement tactics.
In summary, while Catholic Charities maintains that they are providing important information about legal rights, their actions have sparked controversy and drawn criticism from those who believe they are enabling illegal immigration. The presence of ICE agents in churches has further exacerbated tensions and caused fear within the religious community.
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ICE's treatment of migrants
The treatment of migrants by ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been a highly controversial topic. Since 2003, ICE has been responsible for enforcing federal laws governing customs, trade, and immigration. This primarily involves detaining, deporting, and convicting unauthorized immigrants.
ICE operates with a staff of over 20,000 across 400+ global offices. Between October 2014 and November 2024, ICE made approximately 3.62 million detention book-ins of people identified as unauthorized immigrants. The largest group of people booked in during this period were Mexican citizens (31.1%), followed by Guatemalans (17.1%) and Hondurans (12.8%)harsh conditions in detention facilities, including overcrowding, inadequate medical care, and physical and verbal abuse.
In addition, ICE has been accused of racial profiling and targeting communities of color disproportionately. There are also concerns about the lack of legal representation and due process for migrants facing deportation. While ICE states that detainees have the right to consult a lawyer and remain silent, in practice, many migrants may not fully understand their rights or have access to legal resources.
The agency has also been involved in controversial policies such as family separation at the US-Mexico border, which has had traumatic consequences for children and families. Furthermore, ICE has been criticized for its collaboration with local law enforcement agencies through the 287(g) program, which allows local agencies to enforce immigration laws. This has led to a breakdown of trust between immigrant communities and local police, with immigrants becoming fearful of reporting crimes or cooperating with the police.
On the other hand, some argue that ICE is necessary to preserve national security and public safety by enforcing immigration laws and protecting the integrity of US borders. They believe that the agency plays a crucial role in maintaining order and security within the country, especially in addressing criminal organizations and terrorist networks that exploit US customs and immigration laws.
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Catholic Charities' support for migrants
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the domestic charitable arm of the U.S. Catholic Church. It serves vulnerable people and welcomes strangers, all within the confines of the law. CCUSA works to welcome and integrate immigrants, refugees, and asylees, offering critical services to vulnerable populations. It also assists in family reunifications and family visa petitions.
Catholic Charities of New York (CCNY) operates a multilingual immigration information and referral phone service. CCNY also provides legal and support services to unaccompanied immigrant children who are detained in temporary federal shelter care. They offer legal representation in court so that children do not have to appear before a judge alone. CCNY also helps custodians and potential custodians through the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC) to better understand their roles and responsibilities.
CCNY assists refugees and other vulnerable individuals, including victims of trafficking and special immigrants, to secure housing, food, clothing, and other essential necessities. They also connect children in need of specialized medical or psychological care with Terra Firma, a medical-legal partnership between the Children's Hospital at Montefiore and the Children's Health Fund.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago helps immigrants and refugees develop a plan for the next stage of their lives. Their teams can assist with family reunifications and family visa petitions, among other services recognized by the US Department of Justice.
Catholic Charities has been criticized for a video that teaches migrants how to evade US immigration law. The video, which was shared by Catholic Charities Milwaukee, advises people questioned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to exercise their right to remain silent and to consult a lawyer. Some have called for Catholic Charities to be defunded as a result of the video, with critics arguing that the charity is helping illegal immigrants to avoid the law. However, others have defended the video, arguing that it is important for people to know their rights when dealing with law enforcement.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Charities is a charitable organization that provides a range of humanitarian support and aid to communities in need. This includes providing food options for the hungry, mental health care, and supporting refugees and trafficking victims.
Catholic Charities has been criticized for producing a video advising illegal immigrants on how to avoid ICE. The video was released in 2025, just before President Donald Trump took office and began to implement stricter immigration policies. It is important to note that Catholic Charities receives billions in government funding.
The video included advice such as "do not panic and do not run away" and "if you are stopped, you may ask if you are free to leave." It also suggested that immigrants could refuse to answer questions about their country of birth or entry into the US, and could refuse to show identification documents.
There have been calls for Catholic Charities to be defunded, with some arguing that the organization is misusing tax dollars and enabling illegal immigration. The video has also brought attention to the broader issue of ICE's presence in and around churches, schools, and other "sensitive locations," which has led to a decline in attendance at Catholic churches as people fear being questioned or detained.
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