HHS Secretary Faces Subpoena in Migrant Housing Probe

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan subpoenas HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra for migrant housing assistance records, escalating the probe into taxpayer-funded programs for border-crossers.

At a Glance

Jim Jordan demands HHS records on migrant housing assistance by October 30.
Committee received only seven pages of documents lacking substantive information.
Inquiry focuses on ORR’s coordination with other departments for alien housing assistance.
New York City’s migrant services spending has exceeded $5 billion since fiscal year 2023.
Subpoena also seeks data on unaccompanied alien children placement and sponsor vetting.

Jordan’s Demand for Transparency

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has taken a decisive step in the ongoing investigation into migrant housing assistance by subpoenaing Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. The move comes after months of unsuccessful attempts to obtain information about the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) use of taxpayer dollars for housing assistance for aliens in the country.

The House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra after his agency failed to provide the panel with information about housing costs for foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally, according to reports. https://t.co/h22GkWMBY8

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) October 24, 2024

“[S]ince July 2024, we have sought information about ORR’s coordination with the State Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Homeland Security to use taxpayer dollars to pay for housing assistance for aliens in the country,” Jordan wrote.

The committee’s frustration stems from the lack of substantial documentation provided by ORR, with only seven pages of documents received that fail to address the core issues under investigation. Jordan emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “The failure to provide the requested materials hinders the Committee’s ability to fulfill its constitutional oversight obligations,” and demanded the records by Oct. 30.

Scope of the Investigation

The subpoena’s reach extends beyond just housing assistance records. It also seeks crucial data on the placement of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) with sponsors, the vetting process for these sponsors, and information on criminal- and gang-affiliated UACs. This broader inquiry is part of the Committee’s oversight of the Biden Administration’s enforcement of federal immigration law, with a particular focus on the ORR’s operations.

The Committee’s concerns are not unfounded. In New York City alone, spending on migrant services, including housing, food, and medical costs, has surpassed $5 billion since fiscal year 2023. This financial strain has led to unprecedented measures, such as converting historic hotels into emergency shelters for asylum-seekers and implementing a controversial $53 million pilot program providing some migrants with prepaid credit cards.

Constitutional Oversight and Potential Reforms

The Supreme Court has affirmed Congress’s “broad and indispensable” power to conduct oversight, which “encompasses inquiries into the administration of existing laws, studies of proposed laws, and surveys in our social, economic or political system for the purpose of enabling Congress to remedy them.” This legal backing strengthens the Committee’s position in demanding transparency from HHS.

Jordan’s committee aims to use the requested information to inform potential legislative reforms. These could include enhancing scrutiny in the vetting process for UACs and sponsors, as well as establishing clearer standards for referring known gang members. The investigation also seeks to determine the number of UACs placed with known sex offenders and the number of rejected sponsor applications due to criminal backgrounds.

Implications for Immigration Policy

The subpoena and subsequent investigation highlight the growing tensions surrounding the Biden administration’s immigration policies. With a significant influx of migrants seeking economic opportunities in the U.S., the strain on taxpayer-funded programs has become a focal point of political debate. The House Judiciary Committee’s report detailing federal benefit programs available to migrants underscores the complexity and cost of the current system.

As the October 30 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Secretary Becerra and HHS to see how they respond to the subpoena. The outcome of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for immigration policy, federal spending, and the ongoing debate over how best to manage the challenges at the southern border. With HHS representatives yet to comment on the subpoena, the coming days promise to be crucial in this unfolding story of governmental oversight and accountability.