DHS reviews grants to Muslim groups with alleged terrorist ties after report

FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is conducting a review of federal security grants for Muslim groups with “alleged terrorist ties” following a recent report that linked past funding to “extremist” organizations.

A DHS document obtained by Fox News Digital revealed that 49 projects “with alleged affiliations to terrorist activities” have been canceled, resulting in an estimated savings of $8 million.

The focus of the review is primarily on funding distributed through FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which offers assistance to churches, mosques, synagogues, and other faith-based institutions facing threats of hate-driven violence.

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

A DHS official stated that the department is conducting its own independent review of funding and emphasized the importance of conservative watchdog groups in bringing such issues to light.

In response to the report, DHS is examining all current and future contracts to ensure that funds are not allocated to organizations with extremist ties. Efforts are also being made to recover unspent funds.

For fiscal year 2024, funding has already been allocated, including $94 million for 500 Jewish organizations and $110 million for 600 Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jewish institutions.

In the upcoming fiscal year 2025, DHS plans to implement stricter requirements for applicants to ensure a thorough vetting process.

The report highlighted specific cases of questionable funding, such as $10.3 million allocated to the Islamic Circle of North America and $250,000 awarded to the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has been accused of having ties to Hamas.

CAIR responded by stating that they do not currently have any active federal contracts with DHS and criticized the department for making decisions based on the findings of the Middle East Forum.

FEMA has previously collaborated with CAIR on seminars to promote participation in the NSGP program. However, CAIR has urged organizations to refrain from applying for DHS and FEMA grants unless certain new vetting rules are dropped.

Overall, the review of federal security grants for Muslim groups with alleged terrorist ties underscores the importance of ensuring that taxpayer funds are not inadvertently supporting organizations with extremist affiliations.