On April 16, the House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman, Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN), and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman, Josh Brecheen (R-OK), began an inquiry into the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC). This move follows the emergence of a video purportedly showing CPC employees advising illegal aliens on evading Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The CPC has received over $1 million in taxpayer funding since 2022.
The Chairmen have requested several documents from the CPC, including communications related to immigration seminars held since November 4, 2024. This includes a specific seminar on March 8, where the controversial video was purportedly recorded. The request also covers federal grant applications, government fund allocation details since January 2021, and any correspondence with political appointees in the Biden-Harris administration. The requested information is due by April 30, 2025.
Addressing CPC’s President and CEO, Wayne Ho, the Chairmen wrote, “The Committee is deeply concerned that CPC and other NGOs that receive taxpayer dollars may be advising or training illegal aliens on strategies to avoid cooperation with immigration officials.” The video allegedly shows CPC’s Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Carlyn Cowen, explaining strategies to evade immigration officials, while Janice Northia from the New York Immigration Coalition discusses minimizing contact with such officials.
The Chairmen noted that about 55% of CPC’s revenue comes from government grants, with over $1.4 million in federal grants from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) since 2022, alongside additional funding via New York-based programs. The CPC reported significant increases in revenue over recent years, rising from an average of $21.8 million between 2011 and 2016 to $97.4 million in fiscal year 2022.
In a related probe, Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Dale Strong (R-AL) joined Chairmen Green and Brecheen in contacting the mayors of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. These letters questioned whether federal funds were funneled to entities engaged in illegal activities amid the border crisis under the Biden-Harris administration. The City of New York received over $59 million through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program for fiscal year 2024.
