Atlanta Paid $250K to Muslim Activists, Part of $1.7B Federal Migrant Resettlement

Funds went to a Chicago-based group that held a 'Benefit Concert for Gaza' raising money for an organization accused of aiding Hamas

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:39am

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The City of Atlanta paid more than $250,000 to the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), a Chicago-based Muslim organization, as part of a larger $1.7 billion federal program to shelter, feed, and provide services for 'noncitizen migrants' pouring across the U.S. border. During the period Atlanta paid IMAN, the group staged a 'Benefit Concert for Gaza' that raised money for another nonprofit called Anera, which has been flagged by Israeli watchdogs for allegedly working alongside terrorists.

Why it matters

This case raises questions about the oversight and accountability of federal funds used to address the border crisis, as well as concerns about potential ties between some recipient organizations and groups accused of supporting terrorist activities.

The details

According to city records, Atlanta's payments to IMAN were part of a larger tranche of federal dollars paid out to a list of nonprofits 'to stabilize families and individuals that are encountered by Department of Homeland Security.' The money flowed to local governments, who then passed it along to contractors and nonprofits. IMAN has a branch in Atlanta and became a beneficiary. The city's online payment records show millions of dollars flowing to other non-governmental organizations as well, but none of the groups responded to requests for information on how the money was spent.

  • In October 2024, at a point when Atlanta had already paid IMAN more than $54,000, the group staged a 'Benefit Concert for Gaza' at the Ramova Theater in Chicago.

The players

Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)

A Chicago-based Muslim organization that received over $250,000 from the City of Atlanta as part of federal migrant resettlement funds. IMAN staged a 'Benefit Concert for Gaza' that raised money for another nonprofit called Anera, which has been accused of working alongside terrorists.

Anera

A Washington-based nonprofit that has been flagged by two Israeli watchdog groups, NGO Monitor and Shurat HaDin, for allegedly coordinating with and assisting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Anera denies the allegations.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to make the case that there was some kind of long-term benefit for taxpayers, because the people that benefitted don't have a path to legal status, for the most part, and are now being expected to leave the country.”

— Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies

“What we've seen is that people have to be very careful about funding NGO activities in Gaza. There needs to be a lot more uncovered about the way the NGOs have operated in Gaza.”

— Yona Schiffmiller, Director of Research, NGO Monitor

What’s next

The Atlanta City Council is expected to review the city's payments to IMAN and investigate whether any of the funds were used for the 'Benefit Concert for Gaza' that raised money for Anera, an organization accused of ties to Hamas.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater oversight and transparency in how federal funds are distributed to local organizations to address the border crisis, particularly when some of those organizations have alleged connections to groups accused of supporting terrorist activities.