Catholic bishops sue Trump administration to demand restart of refugee money

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, asking a federal judge to order the State Department to restart the taxpayer money that the bishops say they need in order to help refugees.

The bishops said they were giving assistance to some 6,700 refugees when President Trump shut off the government spigot with an executive order putting federal grants on hold.

Now the bishops conference says it has had to dig into its own coffers and begin layoffs for 50 employees to make ends meet.

They said their “reputation” is on the line, as well as the well-being of the refugees.

“Refugees who have already entered the United States may soon be cut off from support, contravening the statutorily expressed will of Congress and making it more difficult for them to establish themselves as productive members of society,” the bishops argued.

They said the funding pause violates several parts of U.S. law, as well as usurps Congress’s power to control spending.

Refugees are those fleeing persecution from abroad. As part of America’s humanitarian mission, Congress sets aside money to pay nongovernmental organizations to help the refugees gain footing once they’re here. They’re entitled to 90 days of assistance.

The bishops say they’ve been working with the feds on refugees dating back to World War II, saying it’s a biblical mandate, found in the Gospel of Matthew’s admonition (25:35-40) to feed the hungry and welcome the stranger.

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