Trump Administration Ends Catholic Charities Funding for Migrant Children in Miami

Escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV leads to cancellation of $11 million contract for child welfare services.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:38pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty Catholic Charities office space, with a lone desk and chair bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of melancholy and the loss of a long-standing community service.The cancellation of Catholic Charities' federal funding for migrant children in Miami casts a somber shadow over a long history of compassionate community service.Today in Miami

Amid an escalating feud between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV, the Trump administration has canceled an $11 million contract with Catholic Charities in Miami, Florida to shelter and care for migrant children who enter the U.S. unaccompanied. The Archdiocese of Miami has operated this child welfare program for over 60 years, but the administration cited a reduction in unaccompanied minors crossing the border as the reason for ending the funding.

Why it matters

This move by the Trump administration further strains the relationship between the U.S. government and the Catholic Church, which has been a key provider of social services for migrant children. It also raises concerns about the wellbeing of vulnerable children who may be uprooted and relocated, potentially causing additional trauma.

The details

Catholic Charities in Miami had a full-service child welfare program to care for unaccompanied migrant children, which the Archdiocese of Miami says had an 'unmatched' track record of excellence. However, the Trump administration is ending the $11 million contract, citing a reduction in the number of unaccompanied minors crossing the border, though the population still exists. It is unclear where the affected children will be placed.

  • The Trump administration canceled the $11 million contract with Catholic Charities in Miami in April 2026.
  • Catholic Charities has operated the child welfare program for unaccompanied minors in Miami since the 1960s.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who has an escalating feud with Pope Leo XIV and has canceled the Catholic Charities funding.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope who has been critical of the Trump administration's policies, particularly regarding the Iran war.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski

The Archbishop of Miami who condemned the U.S. government's decision to end the over 60-year relationship with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Miami.

Robert Latham

The associate director of the University of Miami Law School's Children and Youth Law Clinic who warned that relocating the children would be 'incredibly psychologically harmful.'

Emily G. Hillard

The press secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who suggested the closure of unused facilities was part of efforts to 'stop illegal entry and the smuggling and trafficking of unaccompanied alien children.'

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What they’re saying

“'The U.S. government has abruptly decided to end more than 60 years of relationship with Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Miami. The Archdiocese of Miami's services for unaccompanied minors have been recognized for their excellence and have served as a model for other agencies throughout the country.'”

— Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Archbishop of Miami

“'For little kids, moving repeatedly creates bonding issues and destroys the sense of both self and community. They don't know who they are and where they will be' from day to day.”

— Robert Latham, Associate Director, University of Miami Law School's Children and Youth Law Clinic

“'God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.'”

— Pope Leo XIV

What’s next

The Archdiocese of Miami has stated that the Catholic Charities' services for unaccompanied minors will be forced to shut down within three months due to the loss of federal funding.

The takeaway

This decision by the Trump administration further strains the relationship between the U.S. government and the Catholic Church, which has long been a provider of critical social services for vulnerable migrant children. It raises concerns about the wellbeing of these children and the potential loss of a highly competent and experienced provider of care.