Loan commissions

As faith-based agencies that resettle refugees in the U.S. occupy a growing stage in the public square, their debt collection practices are coming under increased scrutiny. The agencies’little-known debt collection operations bring in upward 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.