In September, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) through December 20, temporarily continuing funding for various federal programs and services. Yet, the overall Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process remains unfinished. As such, several appropriations bills, including those related to migration, are still pending. Federal resources enable non-governmental organizations, including various Lutheran-affiliated organizations, as well as federal agencies, and state and local governments, to effectively support new arrivals, immigrants, and refugees. As the latest deadline for Fiscal Year 2025 approaches, raise your voice to call for robust funding for migration and refugee programs.
Three of the most important appropriations bills that provide discretionary funding for migration-related programs include Homeland Security, Labor-Health-Human Services-and-Education (LHHS-ED), and Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS). The House LHHS-ED proposes a 4% cut which represents a steep reduction compared to the president’s request, while the Senate’s LHHS-ED bill would provide a modest 2% increase over 2024. The House CJS bill proposes a 10% cut for immigration courts, while the Senate proposes slightly more than in 2024. Regarding Homeland Security, this bill was passed out of the House with overall increases in detention, enforcement, and deportation funding across Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These figures reveal the priorities and recommendations of Congress.
The ELCA social statement, For Peace in God’s World reflects: “In our own country, we support a generous policy of welcome for refugees and immigrants. We pledge to continue our church’s historic leadership in caring for refugees and immigrants” (p. 20). You can help Congress recognize that ensuring that refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants have access to supportive services is essential for their successful integration and well-being.
[Posted 9/20/2024; updated 10/31/2024]
