The Trump administration is pulling federal funding from Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, which operates a McAllen migrant shelter.

The South Texas charity is part of Catholic Charities USA and is a branch of the Diocese of Brownsville. Its executive director, Sister Norma Pimentel, has become known globally for her advocacy work for migrants.

Pimentel, who founded the migrant shelter in 2014 and has run it since, was considered one of Time Magazine’s “ 100 Most Influential People of 2020 ” and received a medallion of excellence from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in 2023. During Pope Frances’ reign, she was considered the “ Pope’s Favorite Nun .”

But as of last month, the organization has been barred from receiving federal funds for six years, according to

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