In a significant legal move, Catholic bishops in the United States have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its sudden decision to halt funding for refugee resettlement initiatives. This action could have far-reaching implications for newly arrived refugees and the operations of the nation’s largest private resettlement agency.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) argues that the administration’s decision to cut off millions in funding, even those intended for prior incurred costs, breaches multiple laws. Additionally, they assert it violates the constitutional provision that Congress has the power of the purse, which had already sanctioned the funding.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, emphasized the Church’s mission to advocate for the common good and uphold human dignity, particularly for the vulnerable, which includes migrants and refugees. He stated that the funding suspension undermines their ability to fulfill this mission, as many refugees welcomed into the country rely on the resettlement services assigned to the USCCB by the government.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, contests that the stopped funding is not linked to foreign aid but is a domestic program supporting legally admitted refugees. These refugees, after extensive vetting overseas, depend on initial assistance like housing and job placement to transition effectively into their new lives in the United States. The lawsuit claims the government’s action is severely damaging to the program.
Notably, the USCCB revealed that its Migration and Refugee Services branch has had to issue layoff notices to 50 employees, which accounts for more than half of its workforce. Further reductions are anticipated in local Catholic Charities offices collaborating with the national office. The lack of funding, amounting to approximately $13 million in pending reimbursements, is a significant roadblock to maintaining their operations.
The funding cut is impacting thousands of refugees. As of January 25, a total of 6,758 refugees, newly assigned to the USCCB’s care, had been residing in the United States for less than 90 days—the period during which they are eligible for federal assistance. By prolonging their access to essential resettlement resources, their path to independence and employment is compromised.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s decision to re-suspend the resettlement program, which his initial administration had significantly reduced. Trump and several allies have been vocal critics of refugee resettlement and other immigration paths. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, has controversially accused the bishops conference of resettling ‘illegal immigrants’ for financial gain, a claim the USCCB has strongly refuted.
The conference noted that federal funding does not fully cover the program’s costs. In 2023, the USCCB, along with other supporters, spent an additional $4 million beyond what it received in federal funds to aid refugees, illustrating the critical financial partnership between the government and private entities in managing refugee assistance. The lawsuit accuses the administration of drastically jeopardizing the resettlement framework.
The departments of State and Health and Human Services, both involved in assigning resettlement tasks to agencies like USCCB, have yet to respond in court. A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Human Services mentioned that the department does not comment on ongoing litigation.
The legal battle initiated by the US Catholic bishops against the Trump administration over the abrupt funding halt underscores a broader conflict over immigration policy and humanitarian responsibilities. As the lawsuit progresses, its outcomes may not only influence resettlement programs but also shape the discourse on immigration and the role of religious and private organizations in addressing global refugee crises.
