Faith-based groups earn millions on refugee loan commissions

c. 2015 Religion News Service

(RNS) Faith-based agencies resettling refugees in America stand to gain more than a clear conscience if the United States—after what is expected to be a fierce debate in Congress—accepts a proposed 10,000 Syrian refugees next year.

More refugees also means more revenue for the agencies’ little-known debt collection operations, which bring in upwards of $5 million a year in commissions as resettled refugees repay loans for their travel costs. All nine resettlement agencies charge the same going rate as private-sector debt collectors: 25 percent of all they recoup for the government.