Catholic bishops sue Trump administration over refugee fund suspension

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the suspension of funding for refugee resettlement assistance. The lawsuit was submitted on February 18 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. According to The Associated Press, the bishops described this suspension as "unlawful and harmful to newly arrived refugees."

In their legal complaint, which OSV News accessed, the bishops labeled the suspension as “a textbook arbitrary-and-capricious agency action” that "violates multiple statutes" and undermines "the Constitution’s separation of powers." A spokesperson from USCCB stated that the lawsuit urges the government “to uphold its legal and moral obligations” to refugees by restoring necessary funding.

The USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services is one of ten national agencies working with the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), established by Congress in 1980 to formalize refugee resettlement in the United States. President Donald Trump suspended USRAP through an executive order on January 20, pending evaluation on whether it aligns with national interests. The State Department issued notices on January 24 affecting domestic resettlement agencies' operations.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio expressed concern over sustaining care for thousands of refugees assigned to USCCB after being granted legal status. Chieko Noguchi, a USCCB spokesperson, emphasized that refugees undergo rigorous screening and vetting before resettling in the U.S., highlighting that nearly a million individuals have been assisted by USCCB over decades.

Under U.S. law, refugees are those who cannot return to their home countries due to fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion.

The lawsuit claims violations against the Administrative Procedure Act due to improper rulemaking processes and argues that suspending program funding ignored potential consequences or alternatives. It also disputes aligning with Trump's executive order halting foreign assistance, asserting it does not apply to American non-profits aiding refugees domestically.

USCCB seeks reversal of funding suspension and reimbursement for incurred expenses related to current agreements while requesting coverage for legal fees.

Maria-Pia Negro Chin contributed reporting from OSV News.