The US Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic charities USA are among more than 200 non-governmental organizations named in a congressional probe for aiding immigrants its leaders call “inadmissible aliens” during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Newsroom, June 16, 2025, Gaudium Press – US House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, R-Tenn., and Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Accountability Chairman Josh Brecheen, R-Okla., announced their investigation June 11.
According to a June 11 press release, “The chairmen are examining whether these NGOs used taxpayer dollars to facilitate illegal activity, as the previous administration incentivized millions of inadmissible aliens to cross our borders — many of whom were subsequently aided by NGOs after being released at the border under the Biden-Harris administration’s mass catch-and-release policies.”
In April 2025, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) declared it would cease its long-standing cooperative agreements with the federal government for refugee resettlement and children’s services, stating that these partnerships had become “untenable” following the Trump administration’s sudden suspension of funding. The decision terminates a nearly 50-year collaboration that supported refugees and unaccompanied minors across the U.S. The USCCB is now pursuing $24,336,858.26 in reimbursement for services already delivered, highlighting the financial and operational fallout from the government’s policy shift.
Historical Context of USCCB’s Federal Collaboration
Since its inception as the National Catholic War Council in 1917, the USCCB has played a pivotal role in humanitarian aid, initially aiding Catholic families during World War I. By 1920, it established a Bureau of Immigration, which evolved into the Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) program. This arm became a global leader in refugee resettlement, partnering with the federal government under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), enacted in 1980. Working with the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the USCCB facilitated housing, job placement, and community integration for roughly 18% of refugees admitted to the U.S. annually.
These programs relied heavily on federal funding, which covered over 95% of costs, with the USCCB receiving upwards of $100 million yearly during the Biden administration. However, the organization often supplemented these funds with private donations to bridge funding gaps. From 2014 to 2023, the USCCB managed nearly $800 million in federal grants but spent $850 million, covering the difference through charitable contributions.
Catalyst for Ending Agreements
The USCCB’s decision stems from the Trump administration’s immigration policies, notably a January 24, 2025, executive order freezing foreign assistance funds and grants. On February 26, 2025, the State Department terminated two key cooperative agreements, including the “Enduring Welcome” program, citing misalignment with current priorities. This followed a broader suspension of the USRAP, significantly disrupting the USCCB’s operations.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, USCCB president, called the funding cuts “devastating,” noting that they rendered the organization’s programs unsustainable. “Our mission to serve the vulnerable is rooted in the Gospel, but we cannot bear the financial burden alone,” he said. The USCCB contends that the funding suspension violates the Administrative Procedure Act and congressional appropriations, as the funds were already allocated for ongoing programs.
The termination led to immediate operational challenges. In February 2025, the USCCB laid off 50 MRS staff members—approximately one-third of its workforce—and affiliated Catholic Charities agencies reported similar cutbacks. Bill Canny, MRS executive director, emphasized the impossibility of replacing $200 million in annual federal funding with private donations, stating, “The scale of this work requires public support.”
Financial Claims and Legal Battle
The USCCB is seeking $24,336,858.26 (24 million) to cover costs for services provided before the funding halt, including support for 6,758 refugees resettled for less than 90 days as of January 2025 and care for unaccompanied minors. The bishops argue that the government’s failure to reimburse these expenses breaches contractual obligations and jeopardizes refugee integration.
In February 2025, the USCCB filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., challenging the funding freeze as “arbitrary and capricious.” The suit named the Departments of State and Health and Human Services, along with Secretaries Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. On February 25, 2025, Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction, ruling that the suspension violated congressional intent. However, the government’s subsequent contract termination prompted a jurisdictional dispute, with the State Department arguing that the Court of Federal Claims should handle financial claims. The USCCB insists the district court retains authority, citing “irreparable harm” to its mission and clients.
Consequences for Vulnerable Populations
The end of these agreements threatens critical services for refugees and unaccompanied minors. The USCCB, through its network of over 65 Catholic Charities affiliates, provided shelter, foster care, and integration support mandated by federal law. The funding suspension risks disrupting these services, potentially delaying refugees’ self-sufficiency and straining other nonprofit providers.
The USCCB is working to transfer open cases, such as those involving unaccompanied minors, to ORR or other agencies to ensure continuity of care. However, the loss of the USCCB’s extensive network could overburden local communities and smaller organizations, which lack the capacity to absorb these responsibilities fully.
Political and Social Ramifications
The funding cuts align with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement priorities, including tightened refugee admissions. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, sparked controversy in January 2025 by alleging that the USCCB resettled “illegal immigrants” for profit, a claim Archbishop Broglio refuted, clarifying that all clients were legally vetted refugees. Pope Francis indirectly addressed the issue, urging Christians to prioritize charity over political rhetoric.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, the USCCB remains committed to its mission, exploring alternative funding and advocating for immigration policies that balance compassion and security. Archbishop Broglio called for prayers for affected staff, refugees, and families, emphasizing the human cost of the policy shift. The ongoing lawsuit and the USCCB’s advocacy signal a resolve to hold the government accountable while seeking sustainable ways to serve the vulnerable.
Raju Hasmukh with Sources from
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, “Statement on Termination of Federal Agreements,” April 7, 2025.
– Catholic News Agency, “USCCB Halts Federal Refugee Programs,” April 7, 2025.
– The Washington Post, “Catholic Bishops End Federal Partnership Over Funding Dispute,” April 8, 2025.
– OSV News, “USCCB Seeks $24 Million After Program Cuts,” April 7, 2025.
– Associated Press, “U.S. Bishops End Refugee Aid Contracts,” April 7, 2025.
– USCCB, “Lawsuit Against Funding Suspension,” February 18, 2025.
– UCAN News “USCCB, Catholic charities face probe on migrant aid” June 16 2025
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