A new bill in the House seeks to block entities such as non-governmental organizations from receiving federal aid if they assist illegal immigrants in violation of immigration laws.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) introduced legislation, called the “Blocking Assistance and Resources to Restrict Illegal Entry and Residency (BARRIER) Act,” this week along with several GOP colleagues.
The bill would “limit the availability of Federal financial assistance for entities that aid or facilitate illegal immigration, and for other purposes,” according to the text of the legislation.
An entity such as a non-governmental organization or a corporation would be ineligible to receive “any” federal money if it violates immigration laws starting in the first fiscal year after enactment, the bill states.
Federal aid here is defined by a part of U.S. Code that covers grants, loans, and more — but not reimbursements for services in accordance with guidance issued by the OMB director.
Any group that “aids or facilitates” the entry of migrants into the Unites States in defiance of section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act could be impacted by this bill.
Violations include “providing, promoting, or advertising, transportation, shelter, financial support, or legal assistance” to migrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally or who are present without lawful status.
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NewsNation reported last year how NGOs get billons in taxpayer dollars from federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the “true cost” of the border crisis can be hidden this way.
Charles Marino, a former DHS adviser under former President Barack Obama, told the news outlet the “problem here is that the NGOs have taken over as the official travel agency” of the DHS.
Gaetz unveiled his bill with Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Mary Miller (R-IL), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Randy Weber (R-TX), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Andy Ogles (R-TN), and Andy Biggs (R-AZ) as co-sponsors.
“NGOs and non-profits serve as the foot soldiers for the Biden-Harris administration’s mass-migration policies by helping illegal aliens cross the border and stay here for years after illegally,” Gaetz said.
He added that the bill “will strip these organizations of their federal funding, which can be used to assist those who break federal law. The federal government should not be financing the destruction of its own country.”