Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the activities such organizations partake in at the U.S. southern border have increasingly garnered heightened scrutiny from Republican members of Congress.
According to Fox News, federal budget figures show that NGOs receive $137 million in federal grants. While some nonprofits operate to assist in humanitarian-related roles, border security advocates allege that a number of such organizations could be playing a part in exacerbating the illegal immigration crisis by providing transportation and legal services to foreign nationals.
The “Stop Federal Funding for Human Trafficking and Smuggling Act,” sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), seeks to block taxpayer funding for nonprofit organizations that are deemed to be complicit in illegal activity occurring along the nation’s border with Mexico. The bill has gained the support of numerous anti-illegal immigration and border security advocates.
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), an original cosponsor of the bill, asserted that while some organizations are “misguided” in their approach to the southern border, other NGOs are acting with ulterior motives.
“Biden may have lit the flame at our border, but many non-profits and non-governmental organizations are fueling the fire with taxpayer dollars,” declared Moore. “We must stop subsidizing these misguided and even nefarious groups that are empowering the human and drug trafficking organizations that are running our border.”
According to the South Alabama congressman, compassion must also play a role in ending the illegal immigration crisis. Moore pointed to the human traffickers and drug smugglers who routinely take advantage of the nation’s laxed border policies.
“I have visited our border, and I’ve seen first-hand not only that border security is national security but that a secure border is a compassionate border,” added Moore. “That is why I am standing up along with Rep. Gooden and my colleagues to fight for border security problems that not only protect Americans but also others at the mercy of the cartels.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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