Trump Administration Ends $11 Million Contract with Catholic Charity in Miami

Tensions rise between the White House and the Vatican over immigration and foreign policy issues

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:27am

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty Catholic Charities shelter bathed in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of melancholy over the end of this long-standing partnership between the Church and the government in caring for vulnerable migrant youth.The cancelation of Catholic Charities' contract to shelter migrant children in Miami disrupts a decades-long partnership between the Catholic Church and the U.S. government.Today in Miami

The Trump administration has abruptly canceled an $11 million contract with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami to shelter and care for migrant children who enter the U.S. alone. The move comes amid rising tensions between the administration and American Catholics over President Trump's criticism of Pope Leo XIV's stance on issues like the U.S. war with Iran and concern for migrant welfare.

Why it matters

The Catholic Church has a long history of providing services to unaccompanied immigrant children in South Florida, dating back to the 1960s with 'Operation Pedro Pan' that airlifted thousands of Cuban children to safety. The cancelation of this contract disrupts a decades-long partnership between the federal government and the Catholic community in caring for vulnerable migrant youth.

The details

Under the contract, Catholic Charities operated a full-service child welfare program in Miami-Dade, including a shelter with 81 beds for unaccompanied minors. The program provided foster homes, family reunification, and supportive services for the trauma these children have endured. The Trump administration cited a decline in the number of unaccompanied migrant children in federal custody as the reason for ending the contract, though the Archdiocese argues its program has been recognized for excellence and served as a model for the country.

  • In late March 2026, the federal government notified Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami about the cancelation of the $11 million funding contract.
  • The contract is set to end within three months, forcing Catholic Charities to shut down its program for unaccompanied migrant children.

The players

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami

A non-profit organization that has operated a federally funded foster care system for immigrant children who enter the U.S. without parents or adult supervision.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski

The Archbishop of Miami and a longtime advocate for immigrant rights, who criticized the administration's decision to end the contract with Catholic Charities.

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has been engaged in a public feud with Pope Leo XIV over issues like the U.S. war with Iran and concern for migrant welfare.

Pope Leo XIV

The first American pope, who has made opposition to the U.S. war with Iran and concern for the welfare of migrants a cornerstone of his ministry.

Robert Latham

The associate director of the University of Miami Law School's Children and Youth Law Clinic, who warned that relocating the children currently in Catholic Charities' care would be psychologically harmful.

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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

“It's incredibly psychologically harmful to be moved, sometimes as stressful as serious illness or a death in the family. 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

What’s next

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The takeaway

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