The Biden administration’s spending on illegal immigrants extended far beyond housing and basic necessities, with more than $22.6 billion in taxpayer-funded grants going toward a range of financial benefits, according to a recent audit. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), allocated billions between 2020 and 2024 to nonprofit organizations that provided assistance to illegal immigrants, including loans for cars, homes, and small businesses.

Federal records show that in 2023 alone, ORR spent more than $10 billion in grants, a sharp increase from previous years. The funds were distributed to groups that offered a variety of financial incentives, including up to $1.7 billion in services such as business startup loans of up to $15,000, credit repair loans of up to $1,500, and savings matching programs for major purchases.

These expenditures occurred during a time when U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported 2.4 million illegal crossings at the southern border, the highest on record. The substantial financial aid available to illegal immigrants has been criticized as a factor contributing to the surge, as many recipients immediately shared information about the benefits with those outside the country.

A significant portion of the grants — $12.4 billion — was used for unaccompanied migrant children, even as ORR faced backlash over its handling of those minors. The agency was criticized after reports revealed that 32,000 children in ORR’s care had gone missing after being placed with sponsors, some of whom had not been properly vetted.

Some of the largest recipients of ORR funding were nonprofit groups with ties to the agency’s leadership. Robin Dunn Marcos, a former ORR official, previously worked for organizations that received significant grant money. While officials stated that she recused herself from decisions involving past employers, watchdog group OpenTheBooks has requested further records to investigate whether favoritism played a role in the distribution of funds.

ORR’s funding practices follow similar spending by other federal agencies, including FEMA, which sent $80 million in taxpayer dollars to pay for migrant housing in New York City hotels before the Trump administration intervened to recover those funds. As oversight of these programs increases, further details may emerge about the scope of taxpayer money used to fund benefits for illegal immigrants.