Shelters caught between ICE and FEMA over illegal immigrants as Trump administration sends mixed messages

The Trump administration is continuing to release illegal migrants to non-government shelters along the US-Mexico border. This move comes after warning those same organizations that offering temporary housing and any assistance could violate a law that is used to prosecute smugglers.In a letter dated March 11, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warned that providing food, housing and transportation to migrants could be considered a violation of federal law. The agency also demanded detailed information about illegal migrants from shelters as part of a broader investigation.

Why are non-government shelters important?

Shelters play a vital role in supporting migrants by offering temporary housing, meals, and assistance with travel to other parts of the United States.

However, following FEMA’s letter, many of these organizations are now uncertain whether continuing helping the migrants could land them in any legal trouble.Despite the letter issued by FEMA, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has asked shelters in Texas and Arizona to take in people who were released from detention centers. Rebecca Solloa, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo, Texas, described FEMA’s letter as alarming.

She said, "It was pretty scary. I'm not going to lie."After the letter was issued, Solloa’s shelter received 8 to 10 people a day from ICE—until it had to shut down in April due to financial losses and lack of FEMA funding. The shelter has helped over 120,000 people since opening in 2021.Another shelter, The Holding Institute, also in Laredo, continues to receive 20 families a week, including people from Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and China.

Conflicting Messages from the Government:

Both ICE and FEMA are part of the Department of Homeland Security. While one agency aims to help the housing migrants, the other is warning that this same help could be illegal.Earlier, during former US President Joe Biden’s administration in 2024, FEMA had awarded $641 million to dozens of state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations across the country, to help them manage the large influx of migrants crossing the US-Mexico border.However, following the formation of the new government and the introduction of new executive orders, FEMA has frozen payments to shelters while it continues its investigation, leaving many without federal funding. Catholic Charities, which had expected $7 million in support from FEMA, was forced to shut down its Laredo shelter after incurring losses of nearly $1 million.The Holding Institute has cut its staff and volunteers from 45 to just 7.

To save money, it delivers most meals without protein. Language barriers have also made it harder to serve migrants from many countries.

Why are migrants being released?

ICE says it releases migrants only when they have a sponsor—usually a family member or a friend. But in some cases, ICE is required to release people, especially when judges rule in favor of migrants. Families are especially difficult to detain for long periods. ICE generally cannot hold families with children for more than 20 days, under a long-standing court agreement that the Trump administration is now trying to end.

Shelters Struggle to Keep Going:

Even with the mixed messages, many shelters say they will continue helping as long as they can.“We have a good working relationship with our federal partners. We always have,” Solloa said. “They asked us to help, then we will continue to help, but at some point, we just couldn’t afford it anymore,” she added.Despite facing financial and legal uncertainty, shelters say they are committed to helping migrants in need.