U.S. News
Trump Admin Hit with Lawsuit for Halting Funds to Refugee Program
Clear Facts
- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for halting funding for refugee assistance.
- The lawsuit claims the funding suspension is unlawful and violates multiple statutes, including the Administrative Procedure Act.
- USCCB alleges that the funding cut has forced them to fire 50 employees and will cause irreparable damage to their refugee resettlement services.
The Trump administration is facing legal action from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) following a decision to cut funding for a longstanding refugee assistance program. This move has prompted the USCCB to file a lawsuit, asserting that the funding suspension will cause “irreparable damage” to their operations.
According to the lawsuit, the USCCB has already spent millions on nearly 7,000 refugees, expenses that will no longer be reimbursed due to the funding halt. The complaint names Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as defendants.
“The government’s sudden Refugee Funding Suspension is unlawful,” the lawsuit states, arguing that it breaches multiple statutes, including the Administrative Procedure Act, and disrupts the constitutional separation of powers.
The USCCB has been involved in refugee resettlement services since the Refugee Act of 1980. The abrupt cessation of funds is seen as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to address the illegal immigration crisis and reduce unnecessary foreign aid.
The Biden administration’s border policies have been criticized for allowing approximately 11 million border encounters from February 2021 through December 2024. This situation led to the entry of numerous criminal illegal migrants into the U.S. through the southern border. In response, Trump declared an emergency and used military resources to deport thousands of illegal migrants.
The lawsuit describes the funding suspension as “arbitrary and capricious,” highlighting that it is the first time in 45 years that such funding has been abruptly cut off. It argues that the government “failed to consider and address the obvious and catastrophic consequences” of this decision on the USCCB and its subrecipients.
Due to the administration’s decision, the USCCB claims it has been forced to lay off 50 employees. On his first day back in office, President Trump announced a “realignment” of U.S. refugee policy, citing the strain on taxpayers and challenges in assimilating migrants as key reasons for the suspension.
Trump’s immigration policies have often put him at odds with Catholic leaders, including Pope Francis, who has criticized these measures. However, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington has supported the president, stating that Catholic teaching does not endorse an “open border policy.”
Requests for comment from USCCB, HHS, and the State Department went unanswered.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Ben Jr
February 20, 2025 at 6:44 am
Oh, that’s rich! One of the most corrupt and fraudulent organizations in the history of man, the Catholic Church, filing a lawsuit to stop funding that which has been fraudulent for years.
Charles
February 20, 2025 at 8:42 am
The catholic church should stay out of government business
Don
February 20, 2025 at 11:49 am
Churches have no business telling government how to run their business, Catholic Churches are corrupted with anti Christian propaganda,,,
Leslie
February 20, 2025 at 8:57 am
Are they legal refugees that came to America through the ports of entry and were vetted or are they illegal aliens who snuck across the border without being vetted and are sucking our system dry? The Catholic Church has NO right to dictate how the taxpayers’ money is spent. They are not elected officials.
Ernest Gibbs Pearson
February 20, 2025 at 9:44 am
Funny how the catholic church thinks a lawsuit against stopping funding for Illegal immigrants can get anywhere, seeing it is illegal immigrants, exactly what President Trump said he was gonna stop once he became President. Also, the American people support sending illegal immigrants back to their own country, which is the reason we voted for President Trump. Duh! 🤔🤔
Jay M. Hatin
February 20, 2025 at 10:53 am
well considering Pignocchio has just become the head of a terrorist country with his executive order this should be a piece of cake.
He’s destroying organization and leaving people stranded overseas without capability to get back to the USA.
he’s out of control with his mental state and should be removed.
Fletcher
February 20, 2025 at 12:16 pm
This one is strong in the TDS. Get help.
Norma
February 20, 2025 at 8:42 pm
President Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do if he was elected. He won in a landslide. Does that tell you anything? There is no law saying any church should be funded by the government. Charitable work is just that. It should not be run by paid employees.
Ron
February 21, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Just for clarity, Norma, trump did not even receive 50% of the popular vote. He won with a plurality which is not a majority and even farther from a landslide. To get out of the mess that we’ve gotten into, we must stop believing everything trump says and try to find “the facts.”
BJ BAILEU
February 20, 2025 at 7:42 pm
The Catholic Church should pay if they think such a good thing. Ì