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Catholic Charities of Onondaga County in Syracuse has cut 51 jobs from its refugee resettlement program after the Trump administration suspended federal funding. The program, which assists refugees during their first 90 days in the United States, is losing over $1.5 million in expected reimbursements.
The funding suspension is part of a broader 90-day federal funding freeze affecting organizations that aid migrants and refugees. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the funding halt is unlawful and violates congressional authority over federal spending. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB, emphasized the church's commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, including migrants.
The funding freeze has led to layoffs across various Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. In addition to Syracuse, Catholic Charities in Dallas and Santa Rosa, California have also been impacted, with significant job cuts reported. The USCCB, which resettles approximately 18% of refugees arriving in the U.S. each year, is struggling to sustain its operations without federal support.
The lawsuit filed by the USCCB names the departments of State and Health and Human Services, as well as their respective secretaries, as defendants. The USCCB argues that the resettlement program is a domestic initiative, not foreign aid, and that the funding suspension undermines the program's effectiveness.