Bishops Confront Funding Reductions Impacting Refugee Programs

Man in a suit waving against dark background.

Catholic bishops sue Trump administration, claiming funding cuts to refugee resettlement programs are unlawful and harmful.

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for halting funding for refugee resettlement programs.
The funding cut has led to layoff notices for 50 workers at the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services, with more cuts expected.
The USCCB argues that the funding suspension hinders their ability to care for thousands of refugees assigned to them by the government.
The lawsuit claims the funding cut violates laws and the constitutional provision that gives Congress control over funding.
As of January 25, 6,758 refugees were under USCCB’s care, eligible for resettlement aid for up to 90 days.

Catholic Bishops Take Legal Action Against Trump Administration

In a bold move that highlights the growing tension between religious organizations and the Trump administration’s immigration policies, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has filed a lawsuit against the government. The bishops claim that the abrupt cessation of funding for refugee resettlement programs is not only unlawful but also detrimental to the well-being of refugees newly arriving in the United States.

This legal challenge underscores the critical role that the Catholic Church plays in the nation’s largest private resettlement network. The funding halt has already resulted in layoff notices for 50 workers at the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services, with more cuts expected in local Catholic Charities offices across the country. These cuts threaten to dismantle a system that has been instrumental in helping refugees successfully integrate into their new communities.

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

Impact on Refugee Resettlement and Church’s Mission

The suspension of funding has dealt a severe blow to the USCCB’s ability to fulfill its mission of supporting vulnerable populations. As of January 25, the organization was responsible for the care of 6,758 refugees, who are eligible for resettlement aid for up to 90 days. Without the necessary financial support, the USCCB finds itself in an untenable position, unable to provide the comprehensive services these individuals desperately need.

“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 USCCB’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, argues that the resettlement program is a domestic initiative, not foreign aid. This distinction is crucial, as it challenges the administration’s justification for the funding cut. The bishops contend that by abruptly halting funding, the government is causing long-term damage to a program that has been instrumental in helping refugees achieve self-sufficiency and contribute to their new communities.

Financial Strain and Potential Consequences

While the USCCB spends more on refugee resettlement than it receives from the government, federal funding is essential for the program’s sustainability. The organization is currently awaiting $13 million in reimbursements for expenses incurred before the funding cut, further exacerbating the financial strain. This sudden loss of support is expected to delay refugees’ ability to find employment and achieve self-sufficiency, potentially leading to increased reliance on other social services.

“The conference suddenly finds itself unable to sustain its work to care for the thousands of refugees who were welcomed into our country and assigned to the care of the USCCB by the government after being granted legal status,” Broglio said.

The lawsuit names the State and Health and Human Services departments and their secretaries, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., as defendants. This legal action not only seeks to restore funding but also to hold the administration accountable for what the bishops see as a violation of laws and the constitutional provision that gives Congress control over funding.

A Call for Accountability and Compassion

As this legal battle unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tension between the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies and the humanitarian efforts of religious organizations. The Catholic bishops’ lawsuit challenges not only the legality of the funding cut but also the moral implications of abandoning vulnerable populations who have been promised refuge in the United States.

“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 outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the future of refugee resettlement in the United States. It raises important questions about the balance between government policies and the role of religious organizations in providing humanitarian aid. As the legal process unfolds, the fate of thousands of refugees hangs in the balance, caught between political maneuvering and the compassionate mission of the Catholic Church.