It highlighted that The decision puts at risk a program with more than 60 years of operation focused on providing care to children who arrive in the country alone, a situation the local Church considers worrying due to its immediate impact.

Warning about the future of the program

The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas Wenski, expressed concern about the suspension of funding and warned that, without those, the program could run out of funds in approximately three months.

Wenski pointed out that the contract was part of a historic collaboration between the Church and the federal government to care for unaccompanied migrant children.

“Those funds are for the contract we have had with the government for more than 60 years,” the archbishop explained.

“It was a way to collaborate with the government to provide treatment or protection to children who arrived in this country without being accompanied by their parents,” he specified.

Questions about the lack of explanations

The Archdiocese also questioned the lack of official information regarding the decision. Wenski stated that no clear reasons have been given for the suspension of funding. "It was suspended, unfortunately; we don't know why," he said. The religious leader asked the federal government to reconsider the measure, considering that it directly affects the continuity of care for a vulnerable population. “We want the Federal Government to reconsider its decision,” he added. Impact on a program considered a model: Catholic Charities services in Miami have been recognized beyond the state as a model of care for unaccompanied migrant children.

The organization's executive director, Peter Routsis Arroyo,highlighted that the program has even served as a model for other institutions.

He explained that the federal government itself has requested support to train other agencies and open similar centers.

Background to the Federal Decision

The canceled contract, valued at $11 million, was part of a relationship spanning more than six decades between Catholic Charities and the US government.

According to information from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the decision is due to a reduction in the number of unaccompanied minors under the organization's care, compared to previous administrations.

HHS also noted that the Office of Refugee Resettlement is closing and consolidating facilities as part of federal efforts to control migration and child trafficking.

Possible Short-Term Impact

The Archdiocese She warned that without funding, the program could cease operations within three months, creating uncertainty about the future of the children who currently depends on these care services.