Concerns Over Federal Grants with Ties to Extremism

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is evaluating the distribution of federal security grants to Muslim organizations connected to “substantiated terrorist ties.” This scrutiny comes following a report alleging past funding links to “extremist” groups.

According to documents obtained, 49 projects that were reportedly involved with terrorist activities have been canceled, which could result in savings of about $8 million for the department.

This review mainly concerns funds allocated through FEMA’s Non-Profit Security Grants Program (NSGP), which provides support to various faith-based institutions, including churches, mosques, and synagogues, that face threats of hate-driven violence.

The investigation follows findings from a conservative Israeli think tank, the Middle East Forum, which claimed that over $25 million in DHS and FEMA grants were awarded to “terror-linked groups” from 2013 to 2023.

DHS officials stated they take the findings of the report seriously and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the watchdog group. They are currently reviewing ongoing contracts to prevent funding to these groups and are considering ways to recover unspent funds.

The report specifically highlighted a $100,000 grant given to the Dar Al Hijra Mosque in Virginia in 2019, suggesting it had associations with Hamas operatives, as uncovered through a Freedom of Information request.

For 2024, DHS has already allocated funds—$94 million for 500 Jewish institutions and $110 million shared among various faiths, including Muslim, Christian, Hindu, and Sikh organizations.

Moving forward, applicants for DHS funding in fiscal year 2025 will face more rigorous vetting processes. A DHS official emphasized the department’s commitment to ensuring that funds do not inadvertently support groups that might pose a risk to the community.

The Middle East Forum’s report cited specific instances of funding sent to groups with extremist affiliations, including $10.3 million to the North American Islamic community, which the Forum claims is linked to the extremist Jamaat-e-Islami movement.

Additionally, the report mentioned $250,000 granted to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which DHS has been accused of having connections with Hamas. There were also mentions of $750,000 awarded to mosques in Michigan and Texas, raising concerns about their connections to Shia Islamism.

While CAIR asserted there are no aggressive federal grants from DHS, they voiced concerns over the government’s ability to restrict American organizations from receiving federal funds based on their religious affiliations or criticisms of government actions.

Last week, CAIR encouraged organizations to retract their applications for DHS and FEMA grants unless two new review provisions were removed. These stipulations require recipients to collaborate with immigrant communities on programming for undocumented individuals and to engage in certain “discriminatory anti-boycotts.”