US bishops end cooperative agreements with Federal government after work is suspended
Source: National Catholic Reporter
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it would not renew its cooperative agreements with the federal government related to children's services and refugee support after its longstanding partnerships with the federal government in those areas became "untenable."
Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended a federal refugee resettlement program as part of its broader effort to enforce its hardline immigration policies. The ensuing halt in federal funding for the conference's refugee resettlement services is the subject of ongoing litigation, and it prompted the conference to lay off about a third of the staff in its Migration and Refugee Services Office in February.
A spokesperson for the U.S. bishops' conference told OSV News the bishops were seeking reimbursement of $24,336,858.26 for resettlement services (PRM and ORR programs) that was still pending payment as of April 7.
. . . "Over the years, partnerships with the federal government helped expand lifesaving programs, benefiting our sisters and brothers from many parts of the world," Broglio said. "All participants in these programs were welcomed by the U.S. government to come to the United States and underwent rigorous screening before their arrival. These are displaced souls who see in America a place of dreams and hope. Some assisted American efforts abroad at their own risk and more seek a place to worship and pray safely as they know God calls them."
Read more: https://www.ncronline.org/news/us-bishops-end-cooperative-agreements-federal-government-after-work-suspended
Looks like the Fed government may be reneging on $24 million payment for resettlement services Catholic charitable orgs had provided.
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