[serniebanders]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask, but I thought I'll try because I couldn't find much information online.

My neighbor is a really nice undocumented immigrant family. The family has 2 hard working kids who used to tutor others kids in the neighborhood to make income. They are now suffering because they don't have work and they need help. I have been giving them a monthly stipend to help them pay for food and rent. (2k / month).

I'm thinking of starting a non-profit charity so I can write off the money I'm giving away as donations.

Question is, are non-profit charities allowed to help undocumented immigrants? Or are American non-profits meant to help Americans only?

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(Update based on answers) There are alot of wonderful charities that do these kinds of work. I specifically just want to help the undocumented immigrants I know (like my neighbors). It may be seen as unethical if I simply donated to a charity and asked them to use the money to specifically help my neighbors.

So I plan to start my own NGO to specifically help my neighbors first and then eventually other people around my local community if I get more funding.

Giving cash money to help them is okay if we make sure 100% they are not doing any work for me (or my org).

In case you have the same idea, hope these info helps you make your decisions. Thank you @proberts!

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Update 2: Changed wording from illegal immigrants to undocumented immigrants so thread can focus on the right topic.

[proberts]

There is no restriction on helping illegal immigrants (a lot of charities do this); the issue is paying them for work done since they don't have work authorization.

[onetimemanytime]

aren't you "harboring" them, as far as the law is concerned? https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324

https://www.disciplesimmigration.org/wp-content/uploads/2017...

"Harboring is conduct that substantially facilitates an immigrant’s remaining in the U.S.illegally and that prevents the authorities from detecting the individual’s unlawful presence. (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit)

Harboring includes affirmative conduct such as providing shelter, transportation, direction about how to obtain false documentation, or warnings about impending investigationsthat facilitates a person’s continuing illegal presence in the United States. (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit)

Harboring is conduct tending to substantially facilitate an immigrant’s remaining in the U.S. illegally. (U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit) Harboring is conduct that clandestinely shelters, succors, and protects improperly admitted immigrants. (U.S. Court of Appealsfor the Sixth Circuit)

Harboring is conduct that provides or offers a known undocumented individual a secure haven, a refuge, a place to stay in which authorities are unlikely to be seeking him. (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit)

Harboring is conduct that affords shelter to undocumented individuals. (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)"

(Could always say didn't know-- don't ask don't tell)

[serniebanders]

Rephrased for my understanding: as long as my non-profit don't pay them for work and we just give them money to help them out, that is okay. Thanks.

Sounds like I should start that nonprofit, it is exactly what I wanted. Thank you.

[proberts]

There's no prohibition to helping out illegal immigrants as long as you're not paying them for work whether in the form of cash payments, assistance with housing, etc. There are some wonderful charities that do this kind of work by the way.

[mrkurt]

This comment and what you're doing brings me joy.

[burfog]

They should ask their country's embassy or consulate for help getting home. In many cases, travel assistance is available. They would then be in a fully legal status without all the trouble/stress/fear of hiding from the law and never knowing when they might be caught.