The House Judiciary GOP recently unveiled a report alleging that the Biden-Harris administration has been channeling $81.7 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars into programs coordinated with the United Nations to facilitate immigration into the United States. The report, which critics call evidence of an “open-borders alliance” with U.N. agencies, claims these funds are helping foreign nationals in Central and South America enter the U.S. under various immigration pathways, bypassing traditional border checks.
Central to the GOP’s accusations are “migration centers” established by the Safe Mobility Initiative, a program that the report says has been active across 13 cities in Central and South America. The centers, referred to as Safe Mobility Offices (SMOs), are allegedly set up to assist migrants in preparing for resettlement in the U.S. According to the GOP report, these offices have already facilitated resettlement for nearly 18,000 individuals, with thousands more expected to enter through alternative pathways.
The SMOs are reportedly staffed predominantly by non-U.S. nationals employed by international organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Only 14% of the personnel involved in the initiative are American citizens. The GOP claims these offices are advising migrants on family reunification options and “labor pathways” for entering the U.S. legally.
Since the beginning of the Biden administration in 2021, around 5.8 million migrants have reportedly been released into the U.S., and an estimated 1.9 million more have entered as “gotaways,” evading border security entirely. The GOP argues that the Safe Mobility Initiative is an intentional workaround to avoid media scrutiny of border crossings. Instead of visibly crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, migrants enter through air travel and resettlement channels coordinated with the U.N., a move the GOP sees as undermining the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.
The House Judiciary GOP highlighted this concern on social media, where they stated, “U.S. taxpayer dollars were spent on foreign nationals’ salaries so they could advise other foreign nationals on the easiest way to migrate to the United States.” The committee also shared images of a report detailing the alleged financial flow to U.N. staff members assisting migrants.
These revelations come amid heightened scrutiny of the administration’s approach to border security, which includes the controversial CBP One mobile application. Initially launched to expedite asylum requests, the app has evolved into a tool that reportedly grants travel authorizations and humanitarian releases to migrants from various countries. Under a special parole provision, migrants approved through CBP One can stay in the U.S. for up to two years and obtain work permits.
The CBP One app has been instrumental in coordinating the arrivals of migrants through what GOP members call “backdoor” methods, sidestepping traditional immigration checkpoints. Once authorized, migrants have reportedly been flown to at least 43 U.S. airports via flights organized by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), overseen by Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. These details surfaced following a lawsuit filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by conservative groups requesting information on government-facilitated immigration flights. CBP’s lawyers refused to release certain details, citing national security concerns, which only added fuel to the ongoing political debate.
A report by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS), an immigration-focused think tank, estimates that these flights have brought about 320,000 individuals into the U.S. in 2023 alone. The GOP report indicates that these flights, often labeled as “humanitarian,” involve migrant arrivals at both major and regional airports, with many flights kept out of the public eye.
Republican lawmakers have long pushed for policies that restrict foreign ownership of American land and agricultural assets, citing security risks. But they contend that the current administration’s strategy, which they view as both opaque and supportive of high migration levels, disregards national security and burdens taxpayers. The Biden administration’s partnership with international organizations like the U.N., which is primarily responsible for running the Safe Mobility Initiative, has also drawn criticism from conservative legislators who believe it undermines national sovereignty.
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) commented on the findings, saying, “This administration has created loopholes that undermine our immigration laws. The American people deserve to know why their tax dollars are funding foreign nationals who advise migrants on how to circumvent our immigration process.” Rubio and other conservative leaders argue that this program, under the guise of humanitarian assistance, essentially streamlines unlawful immigration.
The House Judiciary GOP also raised concerns about the broader implications of foreign influence on U.S. immigration policy. They fear that by outsourcing parts of the immigration process to international agencies, the administration is ceding control over national security interests. Republican representatives are urging the administration to halt these expenditures immediately and re-evaluate its coordination with international agencies on immigration matters.
In response, a DHS spokesperson stated that the Safe Mobility Initiative is part of a broader humanitarian response to migration challenges in Central and South America, aiming to provide safe and legal alternatives to dangerous border crossings. The spokesperson added that the program complies with U.S. laws and international obligations to support refugees and displaced people.
The report has intensified calls for stronger immigration oversight as the GOP prepares for the upcoming election. Conservative lawmakers have pledged to continue investigations into government spending on migration-related programs and to advocate for increased border security measures. Meanwhile, Democrats argue that the Safe Mobility Initiative prevents dangerous border crossings and is part of a balanced, lawful approach to managing migration in the Western Hemisphere.
As immigration remains a central issue in U.S. politics, debates over the use of taxpayer funds, national security, and international cooperation are likely to shape the 2024 election landscape.
