Civil Rights, Immigration Organizations Sue Trump Administration Over Funding Freeze That is Putting People at Risk

Contact

Aleisha Flores (771)-233-8202 aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org

Washington, DC — Today, a coalition of civil rights and immigration service organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful freeze on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant funding. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, argues that DHS’s broad and arbitrary decision to suspend all grants that “touch in any way on immigration” is unlawful, unconstitutional, and is causing ongoing harm to communities across the country.

The plaintiffs are nonprofit organizations that provide citizenship instruction and naturalization assistance and representation for lawful permanent residents looking to become U.S. citizens. These groups rely on DHS grants, already congressionally appropriated, to fund essential services and have already suffered significant disruptions due to the freeze, including staff layoffs, canceled programs, and the inability to assist individuals seeking U.S. citizenship. 

The plaintiffs seek immediate relief to lift the funding freeze and restore disbursements for the affected grant programs.  They are represented by Democracy Forward, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and LatinoJustice PRLDEF. 

The case challenges a sweeping policy implemented by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem following an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office. The policy directed DHS to freeze all funding to organizations that support or provide services to noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents and asylum seekers. As a result, critical funding streams for citizenship education and naturalization assistance have been frozen, jeopardizing programs that serve thousands of individuals nationwide.

“This lawsuit is about ensuring that the federal government follows the law and that organizations can continue their mission of supporting immigrants and refugees with dignity,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “The administration’s actions are not only–yet again– unlawful, but also cruel and harmful to communities across the country. As the words etched on the Statue of Liberty make clear, the United States is a nation of immigrants and we will use all legal tools to ensure that the government is not weaponized against these resilient communities.” 

“The Trump administration’s actions to date against immigrants, including lawful permanent residents, are rooted in dehumanizing and xenophobic ideas of who ‘belongs’ in our country. Immigrants contribute to the vibrancy of our nation,” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC. “We want to make it clear through this lawsuit that the government cannot ignore due process just because they want to turn immigrants into an underclass.”

“Once again, the Trump administration is targeting our immigrant communities, blocking vital resources and attacking the very organizations that empower individuals to participate in critical naturalization programs,” said Lourdes M. Rosado, President and General Counsel for LatinoJustice PRLDEF. “We will not back down in our commitment to ensuring that organizations receive the funding they need to continue to serve and strengthen our immigrant communities”.

The lawsuit argues that the funding freeze violates multiple federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the Homeland Security Act, and agency regulations. The plaintiffs assert that the Trump-Vance administration lacks the legal authority to unilaterally withhold funds appropriated by Congress and that the freeze is an arbitrary and capricious action that undermines statutorily mandated programs.

Plaintiffs include Solutions in Hometown Connections, Central American Resource Center, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Community Center for Immigrants Incorporated, English Skills Learning Center, Michigan Organizing Project, D/B/A Michigan United, HIAS Pennsylvania, the Instituto del Progreso Latino, and Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota.

The complaint can be found here¹.

- # # # -