Catholic Bishops Sue Trump Administration Over Refugee Funding Freeze

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops alleges the funding suspension violates federal law and jeopardizes resettlement services for thousands of refugees.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the State Department halted funding for refugee resettlement programs on January 24, 2025.
The lawsuit claims the funding freeze violates the Refugee Act of 1980, the Administrative Procedure Act, and Congress's constitutional authority over federal spending.
USCCB states it is owed $13 million in unpaid reimbursements and owes $11.6 million to partner organizations, leaving more than 6,700 refugees without essential resettlement support.
The funding suspension has forced USCCB to issue layoff notices to 50 employees, with further disruptions expected for its refugee programs and services.
The Trump administration argues the funding pause aligns with a broader review of government aid programs, while USCCB contends it causes irreparable harm to refugees and undermines a decades-long public-private partnership.