What’s New?
The Senate passed the budget reconciliation bill – with the Vice President casting a tie-breaking vote – on Tuesday. The bill, as revised by the Senate, returns to the House for a final vote ahead of the July 4 deadline imposed by the president.
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area joined over 100 partner organizations in condemning provisions of this bill that harm our neighbors and communities, including refugees, asylees, and unaccompanied immigrant children.
Use Global Refuge’s advocacy tool to take action today:
Urge your Representative to Vote No on the Budget Reconciliation Bill
What Else?
SCOTUS and Birthright Citizenship
On Friday, June 27, the Supreme Court concluded its term with several decisions, including a 6 - 3 ruling to lift a nationwide injunction that blocked the executive order eliminating birthright citizenship (Trump v. CASA). As a result, the policy may take effect in the 28 states that did not challenge it by the end of July.
The decision restricts the ability of lower courts to issue broad, nationwide injunctions, but allows for nationwide relief through class-action lawsuits. Within hours of the ruling, two class-action suits were filed.
For a deeper dive into the impact, listen to The New York Times’ The Daily podcast.
Emergency Hearing in Challenges to the Refugee Ban
The plaintiffs challenging the administration’s refugee ban (Pacito v. Trump) were granted an emergency hearing for Monday, July 7, by the judge overseeing the case.
The request was made in response to the administration’s move to apply the recent travel ban restrictions to refugees. According to the plaintiffs, approximately two-thirds of the 160 refugees ordered to be resettled by the courts would be affected.
Judge Blocks TPS Ending for Haitians
Earlier this week, a federal judge blocked the administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians prematurely (Haitian Evangelical Clergy Association, et al., v. Trump). The Department of Homeland Security had announced it would terminate TPS for more than 500,000 Haitians in September, rather than the original February 2026 timeline.
How to Help:
Here are three easy action items to support neighbors and the community:
- Advocate – Tell your House Representative to oppose the Senate-passed budget reconciliation bill that harms our communities.
- Donate – Support LSSNCA’s services for our neighbors.
- Volunteer – Volunteer with LSSNCA, opportunities range from one-day events to longer-term mentorships.
