Article Summary –
Catholic Charities, a nonprofit that assists migrants, has been a target of online harassment, conspiracy theories, and menacing calls after right-wing provocateur James O’Keefe posted videos claiming the shelter was an illegal holding site for trafficked women and children. Following the videos, the charity had to bring in private armed guards at their facilities citywide due to real-life threats and people in search of supposed smuggled children. False claims about the nonprofit are also being echoed by some Republican members of Congress, which is increasing the risk of incendiary allegations that could potentially lead to violence.
San Diego Migrant Shelter Targeted by Far-Right Activists
A man and a woman attempted to infiltrate a migrant shelter in San Diego, posing as a pest exterminator and needy immigrant, respectively. The shelter, run by Catholic Charities, managed to turn away both impostors. Soon after, threatening calls targeted the staff, with one voice mail addressing the CEO as “scum” and “not really Christian”.
The man was identified as right-wing figure James O’Keefe, known for his controversial tactics involving disguises and hidden cameras. O’Keefe began posting videos on X in March, accusing the shelter of illegal activities and human trafficking without any evidence.
Political Tensions Fuel Conspiracy Theories
With President Biden’s humane approach to migration, faith-based groups assisting migrants have faced increasing backlash, becoming targets for conspiracy theories and far-right activists. They stand accused of promoting an invasion to displace white Americans and engaging in child trafficking and migrant smuggling. The organizations have dismissed these claims as baseless.
Staff of these organizations, much like public officials, are now frequently targeted. The online threats soon translated into real-life dangers in San Diego. Supporters of Mr. O’Keefe started appearing at Catholic Charities sites, prompting the deployment of private armed guards at these locations.
Tensions Escalate
Employees were advised to keep a low profile due to the escalated harassment levels. O’Keefe refused to comment on the issue but uploaded a video online mocking the shelter workers’ complaints. Catholic Charities had already been on high alert due to heated migrant and border rhetoric, with staff completing active-shooter training two weeks before O’Keefe’s appearance.
Legitimizing Disinformation
Republicans in Congress and state legislatures have added legitimacy to the disinformation by echoing it. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, accused a refugee resettlement agency of financing the invasion of the country and instructing illegal aliens to vote in the United States elections.
The Role of Faith-Based Organizations
Faith-based organizations have long assisted migrants and others in need across the country. They have also become essential in managing migrants’ initial days in the US. This role has turned them into targets for those threatened by high numbers of migrants crossing the border in recent years.
In late 2022, four Republican House members sent a letter accusing three charities of fueling the increase in illegal aliens crossing the southern border. Catholic Charities denied these allegations.
Escalating Threats and Security Measures
Several unsettling incidents, including a call for violence from a white nationalist radio host, led to Catholic Charities USA alerting its agencies nationwide, leading to security adjustments. In February, O’Keefe attempted to infiltrate a Catholic shelter in Tucson, leading to a month of obscene calls directed at staff members.
Security was subsequently bolstered at the Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona facilities after a series of unsettling visits. Former White House strategist Steve Bannon added fuel to the fire by labeling groups helping immigrants as “demons” and “anti-American”.
In the aftermath of O’Keefe’s video post, shelter staff were inundated with threats. One staff member, Cassandra Castellanos, was forced to delete her social media accounts due to the threat level.
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