As the border crisis unfolds with thousands of migrants crossing illegally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leans heavily on non-profits to manage the overflow," according to ABC15. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, have stepped in to provide essential services like housing, transportation, and healthcare to migrants after processing. Teresa Cavendish, COO of the organization, told ABC15, there was no expectation for the crisis to scale to its current standing.
Casa Alitas, a branch of the Catholic Community Services, began assisting migrants in 2014 but has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people served, climbing to nearly 238,000 in 2023 alone. CEO Elena Dwyre emphasized the necessity of dignity, respect, and safety in their treatment of individuals, as many migrants arrive in dire need of basic amenities. Former Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf told ABC15 that NGOs have taken their involvement "to a different level" in recent years.
However, this reliance on NGOs and the accompanying financial involvement from federal funds has not been without controversy. Criticism stems from the use of taxpayer dollars to support migrants who entered illegally. In light of such concerns, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) has taken aim at DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding accountability for the disbursement of funds to these non-profits. Johnson, as reported by his official Senate page, said, "Taxpayer dollars should be used to secure our border not further exacerbate the Biden border crisis."
Nevertheless, experts like Charles Marino, former DHS advisor, argue that the underpinning issue lies with the immigration policy itself, which has fomented record illegal crossings and, consequentially, placed a heavy load on the system. Amidst ongoing scrutiny, Cavendish has defended Casa Alitas' cost-effectiveness when compared to agencies like ICE or DHS, suggesting that NGO interventions are cheaper for the taxpayer, Cavendish illustrated to ABC15 that the cost per person is significantly less than government-run initiatives.
The drafted measures for responding to the crisis continue to evolve, with NGOs currently shouldering the bulk of the responsibilities as both caretakers and financial stewards of humanitarian aid. Despite receiving government funding since 2019 to scale up their operations, agencies like Casa Alitas admit to the challenge of keeping pace with the increasing number of migrants, expecting to begin street releases in the summer. The situation sets the stage for a protracted humanitarian dilemma, with political, fiscal, and operational elements in continuous tension.
