Newsroom

What’s New: 

This week, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled on the ongoing legal battle over frozen federal funds.  

SCOTUS sided with the lower court, ordering the administration to release nearly $2 billion in foreign aid payments owed under existing contracts. These funds include critical support resettlement agencies provide refugees who arrived since October 2024 in our communities through State Department funds. The District Judge will now determine how and when the administration must comply. Remember – last week, the administration terminated thousands of grants before a District Judge’s deadline to release funds. 

Meanwhile, in Pacito v. Trump, the lawsuit challenging the indefinite suspension of refugee admission, the administration’s request to halt a preliminary injunction while it appeals the decision was denied. After an emergency hearing, the judge ordered the administration to submit a compliance report on the resumption of refugee resettlement and reimbursement to resettlement agencies by March 10. 

NOTE: Neither of these challenges would release funds to refugee resettlement organizations from other federal agencies, like from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). 

What’s Next: 

The administration must now comply with the SCOTUS ruling and release State Department funds. We’ll be watching closely to see how and when this happens. For now, tens of thousands of refugees remain stranded in unsafe conditions abroad, and hundreds of our new neighbors continue to be at risk of homelessness and food insecurity due to the administration’s actions.  

Turning to Congress, Congress has until Friday, March 14, to pass a funding deal and avoid a government shutdown. The President and Republican congressional leaders are pushing a short-term funding bill, Democrats are seeking guardrails to limit the executive’s power over spending.  

Related Coverage:  
CNN: In Congress, what’s the difference between a budget resolution, reconciliation and spending bills? – February 13, 2025 

What’s Needed: 

With the State Department’s stop work order and frozen funds from multiple federal agencies, LSSNCA has laid off 65 people, and currently, 13 team members have been furloughed. Your support helps ensure our communities remain committed to welcoming people seeking safety during this difficult time.   

1. Call your members of Congress. Encourage your Senators and House Representative to speak out against these administrative actions. Use our advocacy page for instructions and a script.   
2. Donate. The administration’s actions have created a major funding gap. Your financial gift will help support refugees in our communities.   
3. Volunteer. Whether you have a few hours or can offer ongoing support, we need help welcoming our new neighbors. Employers looking to expand their workforce are also encouraged to connect with us.   

What’s Happened: 

• 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. 
• 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. Put 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.