Trump administration cuts $11M Catholic Charities Miami migrant contract

The Trump administration canceled a long-standing contract with Catholic Charities in Miami, citing declining illegal immigration as a factor in tensions between the president and the pope.

On Wednesday, Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski wrote an article for the Miami Herald lamenting the loss of an $11 million contract to help programs caring for unaccompanied minors and migrant children that have been active for more than 60 years. Without funding, Wenski warned, services wouldn’t even last the rest of the year.

“For more than 60 years, the Archdiocese of Miami’s services for unaccompanied minors have been recognized for their excellence and serve as a model for other agencies across the country,” Wenski wrote.

“Our record of serving this vulnerable population is unmatched. Yet the Archdiocese of Miami’s Catholic Charities services for unaccompanied minors have been starved of funding and will be forced to close within three months.”

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Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski has defended Catholic charities and his archdiocese’s work on behalf of migrant children. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

According to the Miami Herald, the administration informed Catholic Charities last month that funding would be canceled, ahead of President Donald Trump’s comments criticizing Pope Leo XIV for his disagreement with U.S. military action in Iran.

Department of Health and Human Services Press Secretary Emily G. Hillard informed the Miami Herald that the decision was made because the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border was now “significantly lower” than it was under the Biden administration.

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“[The Office of Refugee Resettlement] “The country is closing and consolidating unused facilities as the Trump administration continues its efforts to end illegal entry and smuggling and smuggling of unaccompanied alien children,” Hillard said.

The decision to cut federal subsidies came before President Donald Trump’s comments attacking Pope Leo XIV. (Getty Images)

In a commentary on Fox News Digital, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai pointed to an

“Our historically secure border means fewer border crossings. This is good stewardship of taxpayer dollars made possible by common-sense border policies that keep the American people safe and protect our sovereignty,” Desai wrote.

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In his opinion piece, Wenski argued against the argument that fewer unaccompanied minors was an acceptable reason to cut off funding.

“It is true that the number of unaccompanied minors entering the country has declined. It is also understandable that some programs may be reduced or even eliminated. But given the history and reputation of the Bishop Bryan O. Walsh Children’s Village, it is disconcerting that the U.S. government would end a program that would be difficult to replicate at the level of competence and excellence that Catholic Charities has achieved if and when future waves of unaccompanied minors reach our shores.” Wenski said written.

The Trump administration defended the end of contracts with several charitable organizations, notably Catholics, concerning the care of illegal immigrant children. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo; Adekunle Ajayi/Getty Images)

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The Archdiocese of Miami pointed Fox News Digital to Wenski’s op-ed when contacted for comment.