CV NEWS FEED // A federal judge denied the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) request to reinstate federal funding for its refugee programs, stating in a Feb. 20 ruling that the bishops failed to demonstrate that the State Department and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to freeze the funds would cause irreparable harm.
In its press release announcing its lawsuit, the USCCB stated that “For decades, the USCCB has partnered with the U.S. government and locally based Catholic partners to help nearly a million individuals find safety and build their lives in the United States.”
“The unilateral and unexplained decision of the government to suspend this program will have devastating impacts on refugees, making it harder for them to establish themselves in their new home.”
Washington, D.C.’s CBS affiliate, WUSA9, reported that the USCCB currently is waiting for the government to reimburse $14 million from refugee program expenses. Another $11 million has accrued since the order went into effect.
According to WUSA9, the USCCB asked the court to issue a restraining order against the White House; however, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden denied the USCCB’s request, calling it an “exigent and extraordinary remedy.”
“[H]e said the organization had failed to show it would suffer irreparable harm by having to shoulder the burden of funding its programs until he can rule on a preliminary injunction,” WUSA9 reported.
The outlet later reported that McFadden agreed to hear a motion for a preliminary injunction “that would restore funding on an expedited basis.” McFadden also said he thought the USCCB might eventually prevail in court against the Trump administration should it continue legal proceedings.
The Trump administration was ordered to respond to the USCCB’s motion for a preliminary injunction by Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. A hearing will be held Feb. 28.