Catholic bishops sue Trump administration over refugee resettlement funding cuts, claiming the move is unlawful and detrimental to the nation’s largest private resettlement program.
Quick Takes
- U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) files lawsuit against Trump administration for halting refugee resettlement funding
- Funding cut violates laws and constitutional provision giving Congress control over funding
- Lawsuit names State and Health and Human Services departments and their secretaries as defendants
- USCCB argues the funding suspension hinders their ability to care for thousands of refugees
- Bishops claim the cut will delay refugees’ ability to find employment and achieve self-sufficiency
Catholic Bishops Challenge Trump Administration’s Funding Cut
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has taken legal action against the Trump administration, filing a lawsuit over the halt in funding for refugee resettlement programs. The bishops assert that this decision is not only unlawful but also harmful to refugees and the nation’s largest private resettlement program. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, argues that the funding cut violates existing laws and the constitutional provision that grants Congress control over funding.
The abrupt cessation of funds has already had significant consequences. The USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services has issued layoff notices to 50 workers, with more cuts expected in local Catholic Charities offices. This reduction in workforce severely impacts the church’s ability to provide essential support to newly arrived refugees, potentially leaving thousands without crucial assistance.
Catholic bishops sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over its abrupt halt to funding of refugee resettlement, calling the action unlawful and harmful to newly arrived refugees and to the nation's largest private resettlement program. https://t.co/q89v1ZWjuv
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 19, 2025
Church’s Mission and Financial Challenges
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, emphasized the church’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, including refugees. The funding suspension has put the church in a difficult position, struggling to maintain its refugee resettlement program without federal support. While the USCCB spends more on refugee resettlement than it receives from the government, it relies on federal funding for the program’s sustainability.
“The Catholic Church always works to uphold the common good of all and promote the dignity of the human person, especially the most vulnerable among us,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB. “That includes the unborn, the poor, the stranger, the elderly and infirm, and migrants.” – Source
The lawsuit accuses the government of causing long-term damage to the program by abruptly cutting funding. As of January 25, 6,758 refugees were under USCCB’s care, eligible for resettlement aid for up to 90 days. The suspension of funding is expected to delay refugees’ ability to find employment and achieve self-sufficiency, further complicating their integration into American society.
Legal and Financial Implications
The lawsuit names the State and Health and Human Services departments and their secretaries, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as defendants. It argues that the resettlement program is a domestic initiative, not foreign aid, and should be funded accordingly. The USCCB is currently awaiting $13 million in reimbursements for expenses incurred before the funding cut, adding financial strain to an already challenging situation.
“USCCB spends more on refugee resettlement each year than it receives in funding from the federal government, but it cannot sustain its programs without the millions in federal funding that provide the foundation of this private-public partnership,” the lawsuit says.
The USCCB’s legal action highlights the complex interplay between government policy, humanitarian efforts, and religious organizations’ roles in supporting refugees. As the case unfolds, it will likely spark further debate on the responsibilities of both the government and private entities in managing refugee resettlement programs. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the future of refugee assistance in the United States.
Sources:
- U.S. Catholic bishops sue Trump administration for halt in funding for refugee settlement
- Catholic Bishops Sue Trump Administration For Halting Refugee Resettlement Funds
