What’s New:
Despite multiple court orders, the administration’s indefinite refugee ban and frozen funds to support recently arrived refugees remain in place. As a result, 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.
Earlier this week, the administration submitted a court ordered status report on its efforts to resume refugee resettlement in Pacito v. Trump. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), which represents the three resettlement agencies and nine individual plaintiffs, responded with:
“This report raises more questions than it answers...To comply with the court’s order, the government must immediately resume all refugee processing and rebook travel for the thousands of refugees who had it canceled.”
A joint status report from the plaintiffs and administration is due March 14.
In a separate legal battle – the one in which the Supreme Court sided with the District Court to release foreign aid payments owed under existing contracts – the District Judge ordered the administration to release foreign aid payments owed through February 13 under existing contracts and grants. These funds include critical support to refugees who we recently welcomed in our communities. The administration has until Friday to outline how it would pay groups not in the lawsuit.
While in the lawsuit brought by USCCB to release critical funds to support refugees, 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, the judge determined this issue belongs in the Court of Federal Claims. (USCCB v. US Department of State, et al)
What’s Next:
We will continue to watch the ongoing legal battles closely.
Turning to Congress. On Tuesday, the House passed a short-term funding bill – on a 217-213 party-line vote – to fund the government through September. The bill reduces spending by $7 billion by making $13 billion in non-defense spending cuts and increasing defense funding by $6 billion. Senate Democrats are pursuing an alternative 30-day continuing resolution.
Congress has until Friday, March 14, to pass a funding deal and avoid a government shutdown.
Related Coverage:
Washington Post: House Spending Bill Would Lead to $1B in D.C. Cuts. Here's What That Means. - March 12, 2025
What’s Needed:
As a result of the January stop work order and ongoing 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.
- 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.
- Donate. The administration’s actions have created a major funding gap. Your financial gift will help support refugees in our communities.
- 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 12: The House narrowly passed a six-month funding bill, moving it to the Senate, where it doesn’t seem to have 60 votes necessary (as of March 13).
- 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.
