Funding cuts hit Miami migrant care program run by Catholics

A federal program that placed migrant children with Catholic Charities in Miami just lost $11 million in funding, ending a longstanding deal. For decades, the church group had run shelters and foster homes for kids arriving without parents. Now the money is gone, leaving workers scrambling to find new homes before summer ends. Government officials say fewer kids are arriving than before, which makes the decision seem less urgent. During one recent period, about 1, 900 unaccompanied children stayed in federal care, far below earlier numbers. But church leaders point out that even with lower numbers, the system needs reliable partners to help minors heal and connect. Closing a well-run program they say runs like clockwork now could actually slow down the process. Tensions may have played a role. The administration and American Catholics have been at odds lately, especially after the White House criticized the Pope’s views on world events. Miami’s top archbishop called the funding cut sudden and confusing. According to him, the church has handled this work for more than sixty years, earning respect across the country.Inside the facilities, lives are about to change. Some children have lived there for months, building friendships and routines. Experts warn that shifting them again could make past struggles worse. “Moving kids repeatedly harms their sense of safety, ” one legal scholar said. Groups like Catholic Charities run multiple sites, including a 81-bed village named after a well-known priest. Their expertise comes from decades of experience, starting with a Cuban child migration program in the 1960s. With no clear plan for where the kids will go next, the focus turns to stability. The church’s track record is clear, yet the funding stoppage could erase it overnight. Families, lawyers, and children themselves now face a rush against the clock without knowing where they’ll end up.