WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General Karl A. Racine today announced that in response to Texas and Arizona Governors’ busing migrants to the District, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will offer grants to local organizations at the front lines of providing critical humanitarian assistance and services.
“The decision by the Governors of Texas and Arizona to bus asylum-seeking migrants to the District is causing a humanitarian crisis. The organizations and individuals who have shouldered the burden of providing basic needs and services—including housing, food, transportation, and legal assistance—are understandably strained and simply cannot be expected to carry this responsibility alone,” said AG Racine. “Building on our office’s strong track record of standing up for immigrants and reducing potential risks to public safety, we are pleased to offer grants in response to calls for additional resources and to assist this vulnerable population. I welcome further collaboration with our governmental and non-governmental partners to ensure we are using every tool at our disposal to support this community.”
The Governors of Texas and Arizona began sending migrants from the southern border to the District in April of this year, leaving thousands of people—including families and children—with nowhere to go and without basic resources. Many of these migrants and refugee-seekers arrive in DC with little to no community ties but in need of housing, food, clothing, transportation, and legal assistance. Volunteers and non-profit organizations have largely shouldered this task to date without government support. While many organizations have acted quickly and are working tirelessly to address the needs of migrants arriving in our city, OAG recognizes that these groups are facing enormous, unexpected strain as their resources are stretched thin. Without critical services, these vulnerable communities are likely to face significant harm, including potential threats to their safety.
In response to the urgent need for more resources and support and in absence of an effective and coordinated city strategy, OAG is stepping in to offer newly formed grants that will provide financial support to eligible organizations that are working with this vulnerable population.
Migrant Assistance Grant Program Details
Eligible applicants must provide a scope of work proposal that outlines the services and resources that will be provided using these funds. Grantees will also need to submit a report that captures the impact and number of migrants served. Grants of up to $50,000 per grant, per organization are available for Fiscal Year 2022—that is, to be spent within the next two months. Total grant funding will not exceed $150,000. Eligible applicants include existing organizations that will provide services to assist the vulnerable migrant population and must be a nonprofit, community-based organization with a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) tax status. Proposals are due by 11:59 PM EST, Tuesday, August 16, 2022 (extensions allowed on an individual basis).
Read the full Notice of Non-Competitive Funding Availability here.
Protecting Immigrant Communities
Under AG Racine’s leadership, OAG has worked to protect the rights and safety of immigrant communities and has challenged several federal laws and practices that unfairly target immigrant communities, from the Muslim travel ban to limitations on asylum, the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian-born residents, the Trump administration’s attacks on DACA, family separation, and more. OAG has also advocated for states and localities that have instituted pro-immigrant policies by helping to protect public safety funding for sanctuary cities and to limit local resources for federal immigration-crackdowns.
OAG Public Safety Grants
This funding comes from OAG’s Litigation Support Fund, which receives proceeds from OAG’s litigation. OAG has discretionary authority to issue grants to protect public safety or support vulnerable communities and also provides grants for the Cure the Streets (CTS) violence reduction program and for workers’ rights education. DC law limits grants under emergency non-competitive grants to $50,000 per organization. OAG may issue additional notices depending on the responses it receives and funding availability