The House Judiciary Committee is investigating potential misuse of federal grants awarded to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), an activist organization linked to the Democratic Party. The investigation centers around nearly $1 million in grants acquired under the Biden administration, with concerns that these funds may have been used to incite recent anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. A letter from the committee outlines the taxpayer-funded grants issued to CHIRLA between 2021 and 2023 and raises alarms over the group possibly financing activities that undermine federal immigration enforcement.
The committee, chaired by Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) along with subcommittee chairmen Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) and Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), formally requested CHIRLA to submit documents related to the federal funds received, including detailed expenditure reports. They also seek records of any financial transactions with other NGOs and communications regarding protests against immigration enforcement. These inquiries aim to clarify the extent of CHIRLA’s involvement in the protests and whether federal resources supported activities contrary to immigration law enforcement.
Amid the unrest, CHIRLA organized a rally coinciding with the protests against ICE in Los Angeles, following federal authorities conducting deportation raids. The situation escalated dramatically, devolving into violence, looting, and confrontations with police after immigration agents descended on a Home Depot in Paramount. The chaos prompted President Trump to mobilize approximately 4,000 National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines to restore order. CHIRLA maintains that their involvement was limited to a press event and has denied participating in the protests.
Financially, CHIRLA’s fiscal records show a significant increase in government funding, with nearly $34 million received from federal and state sources in the most recent fiscal year, rising from $12 million the previous year. Additionally, they obtained around $450,000 specifically for citizenship education and training from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the very agency facing protests from the organization. Under the Trump administration, funding to CHIRLA was ceased, as the agency cut ties with the group, indicating a contentious relationship that predated the current scrutiny.
The estimated financial impact of the recent riots on Los Angeles taxpayers exceeds $30 million, showcasing the scale of the civil disorder. The House Judiciary Committee’s inquiry comes with a deadline of July 8 for CHIRLA to provide the requested documentation, aimed at establishing a clearer understanding of the organization’s financial dealings and alleged activities surrounding the protests. The tensions surrounding immigration enforcement remain a contentious issue in American discourse, further complicated by the involvement of activist groups and government funding.
As the investigation unfolds, questions persist regarding the balance between advocacy for immigrant rights and adherence to federal immigration laws. The allegations against CHIRLA epitomize the conflicts that can arise when activist organizations receive public funding while engaging in protests against government agencies enforcing such laws. The outcome of this inquiry may set precedents for how government funding is utilized by activist organizations and the extent to which federal oversight monitors such relationships.
