DHS Seeks Long-Term Funding Ban for Migrant Aid Led by Sister Norma Pimentel

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has initiated steps that could prevent Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley (CCRGV) from receiving federal funding for up to six years — a move that places one of the country’s most visible Catholic migrant aid organizations under intense scrutiny.

At the center of the dispute is Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of CCRGV and a member of the Missionaries of Jesus. Widely recognized for her humanitarian work at the U.S.–Mexico border, Pimentel was named among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2020 and has frequently been described by international media as a close ally of Pope Francis on migrant issues.

Allegations From DHS

According to documents reported by Fox News Digital on Nov. 27, DHS accuses the Brownsville, Texas–based nonprofit of inconsistencies in migrant data reporting and of seeking reimbursement for services allegedly provided beyond a federally permitted 45-day limit.

The same documents indicate that DHS is pursuing a six-year ban on federal funding — double the standard three-year penalty — and has given CCRGV a 30-day window to formally respond before a final decision is made.

Catholic Charities Responds

In a statement issued Nov. 28, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley confirmed it is currently facing a temporary suspension of federal funds. The organization emphasized that all resources received from DHS were used exclusively to support individuals referred to them by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“CCRGV remains fully committed to meeting federal grant requirements and will cooperate promptly with DHS to address the concerns raised,” the statement said. The organization added that it will continue providing assistance “with dignity and compassion” to those seeking help.

Sister Norma Pimentel echoed that position, underscoring her responsibility as a steward of public funds. “I take seriously every single dollar that has been entrusted to us,” she said, stressing that the organization’s mission is rooted in restoring human dignity.

Faith Language Enters the Dispute

Letters from DHS, as cited in the Fox report, accuse Pimentel of violating the trust placed in her to manage large sums of federal funding. Notably, the correspondence draws on terminology associated with Catholic social teaching to defend the administration’s broader immigration stance.

Acting DHS general counsel Joseph Mazzara wrote that “illegal mass migration” undermines human dignity and contributes to trafficking, invoking the principle of subsidiarity — the idea that societies should prioritize care for those closest to them, beginning with their own citizens.

That framing mirrors arguments previously advanced by Vice President JD Vance, who has cited the concept of ordo amoris, or “rightly ordered love,” to justify restrictive immigration policies. Pope Francis has publicly rejected that interpretation, stating that Christian love cannot be reduced to a hierarchy of interests.

In a February letter to U.S. bishops, Francis warned that deportation policies often harm vulnerable families and deepen suffering for people fleeing poverty, violence, or environmental collapse.

Broader Pressure on Faith-Based Migrant Services

The current dispute follows earlier actions by DHS that alarmed religious and nonprofit groups. Earlier this year, the agency sent letters to local governments and organizations receiving FEMA grants, suggesting they could be liable for encouraging unlawful migration. Recipients were asked to identify immigrants they had assisted and to attest that they had not violated anti-smuggling laws.

Those actions prompted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to highlight “the targeting of faith-based immigration services” as a major concern in its January religious liberty report. Later in the year, the bishops elected Brownsville Bishop Daniel Flores — Pimentel’s superior and a vocal advocate for migrant rights — as vice president of the conference.

Political and Legal Challenges

Catholic Charities’ work with migrants has drawn criticism for years from some Republican lawmakers and conservative advocacy groups. In 2021, Texas Rep. Lance Gooden accused border nonprofits of secrecy and framed their humanitarian efforts as suspicious. In 2022, CatholicVote filed a lawsuit seeking records of communication between the Biden administration and CCRGV, alleging that Catholic charities were facilitating increased illegal immigration.

More recently, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought to depose Sister Norma Pimentel as part of a statewide investigation into migrant shelters. A Hidalgo County judge ultimately denied that request.

Impact on Staff and Local Communities

Catholic Charities organizations nationwide have reported that political rhetoric and accusations have led to harassment, including threatening phone calls directed at staff members.

While CCRGV is best known for assisting newly arrived migrants, its work extends far beyond border response. In a 2024 interview, Pimentel noted that the organization also addresses food insecurity, housing instability, and utility assistance in the Diocese of Brownsville — an area where roughly one-quarter of residents live below the poverty line, more than double the national average.

It remains unclear whether a long-term funding ban would affect these broader poverty relief efforts. Neither the Diocese of Brownsville nor DHS immediately responded to questions about the potential ripple effects of the proposed sanctions.

Looking Ahead

As CCRGV prepares its formal response to DHS, Sister Norma Pimentel maintains that the organization’s humanitarian mission remains unchanged.

“Those working on the front lines know that what we do restores dignity to people in crisis,” she said. “That responsibility — both moral and financial — is something I never take lightly.”