Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston has laid off 120 employees following a federal funding freeze due to President Trump’s executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The move has sparked concern among immigration advocates and prompted a legal challenge.
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President Trump's executive order to stop the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program caused a freeze on government funding.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston had to lay off 120 employees. The group, which has been helping people in need for over 80 years, said that the cuts mostly affected programs that help refugees.
Anne Kennedy, an immigration lawyer, was upset about the decision and pointed out how it would hurt legal refugees who are waiting to be resettled. Kennedy said, "This is a real disservice to the community." He emphasized that groups like Catholic Charities benefit immigrants trying to figure out the complicated court system.
Almost a quarter of the nonprofit's staff will lose their jobs because of the staff cuts, making it harder to help people who are defenseless. The International Refugee Assistance Project has also gone to court to fight the executive order, saying that the funding freeze is against the Constitution.
Several advocacy groups are backing the case to bring back the long-standing system for resettling refugees. Supporters hope the courts will step in and ensure that refugees continue to get help and that vital services don't get any worse.
