Decades of Refugee Assistance in Jeopardy
The Catholic Church has been a cornerstone of refugee resettlement efforts for nearly 80 years, providing essentials such as housing, food, and job training. Since 1980, it has worked hand in hand with the federal government to fulfill this mission.
Under federal law, refugees who enter the U.S. are legally entitled to financial assistance for their initial resettlement period. By suspending payments, the lawsuit argues, the executive branch has overstepped its authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which mandates public notice and input before such actions are taken.
The bishops further contend that the funding freeze breaches the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers, as Congress had already appropriated funds for refugee assistance.
“Given the continuing availability of appropriations, the executive branch cannot unilaterally and indefinitely refuse to fund those statutorily mandated services,” the lawsuit asserts.
