Church World Service is a George Soros-backed nonprofit that has a history of immigration activism, including embracing calls to entirely abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or defund it. In 2021, CWS tweeted "#AbolishICE" and "#FreeThemAll." In addition, CWS has demanded that ICE end immigration operations, slamming "the structural sin of raids and deportations that tear families and communities apart."
But earlier this year, CWS was designated as the secretariat and fiduciary agent for the Department of Homeland Security's "Case Management Pilot Program." Two other nonprofits sit on the program's National Board, according to Fox News – which also notes CWS receives none of the funding nor is eligible for the grants reviewed by that board.
Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, explains the purpose of the CMPP is "to carry out ostensibly the 'alternatives to detention' for illegal aliens."
The program's official description puts it this way:
"[F]or individuals who have been determined to be removable from the U.S., CMPP will assist with supportive departure planning and information and/or referral to reintegration services (if and where available)."
Mehlman argues otherwise: "These 'alternatives to detention' are simply turning people loose, maybe checking in with them occasionally." FAIR describes further in a press release: "[This is] not a true alternative with electronic monitoring, but one that provides illegal aliens with services paid for by the American taxpayer and the ability to roam free."
In Mehlman's opinion, this is indicative of the mindset operating at DHS under Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
"[Mayorkas] is very much in concert with their [CWS's] belief that ICE should not be doing its job," he argues. "He has issued memos during his time in office basically constraining ICE's activities."
Mehlman concludes by saying "it should shock the American public that a federal agency is giving money to an organization that has stated that they want to see that agency abolished."
The CMPP program says it aims – through its grants – to serve up to at least 700 "noncitizens" between now and August 31, 2024, the projected end date for the program.
