House Judiciary Committee Subpoenas HHS Secretary Becerra Over Migrant Housing Funds Investigation

Subpoena text revealed through torn paper.

House Judiciary Committee subpoenas HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra for records on migrant housing costs, escalating oversight efforts amid concerns over taxpayer-funded assistance programs.

At a Glance

  • Subpoena issued after HHS provided only seven pages of documentation since July
  • Committee seeks information on coordination between federal agencies and NGOs
  • New York City reports spending over $5 billion on migrant services since 2023
  • October 30 deadline set for complete records submission

Committee Demands Accountability for Migrant Housing Funds

The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), has taken a decisive step by subpoenaing Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. The committee seeks detailed information about the use of taxpayer dollars for housing assistance provided to migrants by HHS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This action comes after months of limited responses to Congressional inquiries, raising concerns about federal oversight and fiscal responsibility.

“[S]ince July 2024, we have sought information about ORR’s coordination with the State Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Homeland Security to use taxpayer dollars to pay for housing assistance for aliens in the country,” Jordan wrote.

The committee’s investigation covers the coordination between multiple federal agencies, including the State Department and Department of Homeland Security, in managing these programs. With a deadline of October 30 set for complete records submission, the subpoena represents an escalation of oversight efforts that began in July 2024.

Financial Impact on Cities and Taxpayers

The investigation comes at a time when cities like New York are reporting substantial expenditures on migrant services. New York City alone has spent over $5 billion since fiscal year 2023 on housing, food, and medical costs for migrants. This financial burden has led to the conversion of historic hotels into emergency shelters for asylum-seekers and the implementation of a controversial $53 million pilot program providing some migrants with prepaid credit cards.

“The failure to provide the requested materials hinders the Committee’s ability to fulfill its constitutional oversight obligations,” said Jordan, who demanded the records by Oct. 30.

The committee has documented various federal benefit programs available to migrants, raising questions about the extent of taxpayer-funded assistance and its impact on local communities. These programs, coupled with the significant influx of migrants seeking economic opportunities, have put a strain on federal, state, and local resources.

Scope of the Investigation

The House Judiciary Committee is not only seeking information about direct government spending but also investigating the relationship between ORR and non-governmental organizations. Of particular interest is the coordination with Church World Service and its Refugee Housing Solutions program. The committee aims to understand how these partnerships operate and their role in facilitating migrant relocation to “sanctuary” cities under the Biden administration.

Despite ongoing communication since the summer, the committee reports receiving only seven pages of documents lacking substantive information. This limited response has prompted the formal subpoena, with Chairman Jordan emphasizing the importance of transparency in the use of taxpayer funds for migrant assistance programs.

As the October 30 deadline approaches, the House Judiciary Committee’s actions highlight the growing concern over the management and oversight of migrant housing funds. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for future policy decisions and the allocation of resources in addressing the ongoing challenges at the southern border.

Sources:

  1. House Judiciary panel subpoenas HHS for records on taxpayer-subsidized housing for migrants
  2. House Judiciary panel subpoenas HHS for records on taxpayer-subsidized housing for migrants
  3. HHS Secy. Called On to Provide Illegals’ Housing Records