- March 14: The President evoked an 18th-century law to fast-track the removal of Venezuelans – including people seeking asylum – without the opportunity to have a court hearing, which is a violation of due process.
- ACLU and Democracy Forward challenged this authority, resulting in a temporary restraining order (J.G.G. v. Trump).
- March 14: Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association, SEIU, and nine TPS holders filed a lawsuit against the administration’s decision to shorten the redesignation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians by six months.
- In Pacito v. Trump, a joint status report was submitted.
- March 14: Congress averted a shutdown – the Senate passed the House spending bill, which reduces spending by $7 billion and funds the government through September.
- March 11: In Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition et al. v. Trump, a District Judge ordered the administration to release foreign aid payments owed through February 13 under existing contracts and grants.
- While in the lawsuit brought by USCCB, the District Judge declined to intervene, noting that the court does not have the power to “order the government to cancel the termination, pay money due, and reinstate the contracts.” Furthermore, determining that this issue belongs in the Court of Federal Claims (USCCB v. US Department of State, et al).
- March 10: In Pacito v. Trump, the administration submitted a court ordered status report on its efforts to resume refugee resettlement. To quote the plaintiff’s counsel on the case, IRAP: “This report raises more questions than it answers.”
- March 5: The Supreme Court of the United States issues a 5-4 emergency ruling in Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition et al. v. Trump ordering the administration to release nearly $2 billion in foreign aid payments owed under existing contracts.
- March 4: In an emergency hearing for Pacito v. Trump, a District Judge granted the plaintiffs' request to amend their complaint based on the State Department’s recent termination notices and ordered the administration to issue a status report on the resumption of refugee resettlement and reimbursement of resettlement agencies by Monday, March 10.
- February 26: The Department of State terminates thousands of grant agreements, including reception and placement services to recently arrived refugees. The State Department’s actions come ahead of a District Judge’s deadline to release billions in federal funds (Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition et al. v. Trump).
- February 25: A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction from the bench, blocking the administration’s pause on the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in Pacito v. Trump. A written order was issued on Friday, February 28.
- February 18: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sues the administration to release critical funds to support refugees (USCCB v. US Department of State, et al).
- February 13: LSSNCA issues a statement on the unexplained federal grant freeze impacting over 800 refugees and LSSNCA’s operations. This cashflow crisis forces LSSNCA to furlough 24 team members and it is unable to make payroll for half its team.
- February 10: Legal action begins. IRAP, Church World Service, HIAS, and LCSNW file a lawsuit (Pacito v. Trump) against the refugee ban and funding freeze.
- January 24: Refugee resettlement agencies, including LSSNCA, receive a stop work order, halting services to newly arrived refugees and putting 400 refugees in the D.C. metro area at risk of food insecurity and homelessness. LSSNCA layoffs 42 team members.
- Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) were also halted, and flights were canceled.
- January 24: Representative Connolly (VA-11) reintroduces the Lady Liberty Act, a bill that would require the President to set a goal of admitting a minimum of 125,000 refugees annually. LSSNCA has proudly endorsed the Lady Liberty Act.
- January 22: The refugee ban goes into effect early. Thousands of refugees – already vetted and approved for travel - have their flights canceled at the last minute.
- January 20: President Trump signed over 100 executive orders, including an indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), a freeze on foreign aid, and termination of humanitarian protections.
search
