A few days ago, Raoul Ahmat, 26, stopped by Walmart in Northeast Dallas to buy food, soap and other provisions. But when he tried to pay with his debit card, it was declined. The card had no money left on it.
Ahmat, who鈥檚 originally from Central African Republic, is among the 100,000 individuals in Texas who receive assistance through the federal government鈥檚 Refugee Resettlement Program. has managed the distribution of federal funds for refugee aid organizations across the state since Texas withdrew from the program in 2016. The nonprofit coordinates with 29 other organizations that help refugees with cash assistance, job training and English classes.
However, since late January, Catholic Charities Fort Worth says it has not been able to access more than $36 million in federal grants needed to provide these services.
On Monday, it sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., demanding they 鈥渦n-freeze鈥� the grant money.
In a joint statement, Michael Iglio, CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth, and Jeff Demers, state refugee coordinator of the Texas Office of Refugees, said these Refugee Resettlement Program funds are crucial for refugees and certain immigrants such as those who鈥檝e come from Cuba, Afghanistan and Ukraine.
鈥淭his obstruction has severely impacted the delivery of critical services, including employment assistance, legal aid, educational programs, and healthcare services designed to help individuals and families integrate and thrive in Texas communities,鈥� Iglio and Demers wrote.
鈥淒espite four attempts in January to secure payment 鈥� followed by ten additional requests over the next four weeks 鈥� HHS has unlawfully continued withholding the financial support allocated under existing grant agreements.鈥�
In January, the Trump administration tried to freeze federal funding for refugee resettlement but later rescinded its order. Since then, the lawsuit reads, 鈥渕any entities have received their federal funding.鈥�
It is not clear why DHHS is withholding the funds. In an email to The Texas Newsroom, HHS director of communications Andrew G. Nixon said the agency does comment on ongoing litigation.
Kimberly Haynes, regional director for , said Texas is the only state that has not received funds for refugee support services since January. HHS did not return The Texas Newsroom鈥檚 questions about why Texas has seemingly been singled out.
鈥淭he state, as a whole, has over 56,000 individuals who are owed refugee cash assistance,鈥� Haynes said, referring to refugees who are new arrivals. 鈥淭he resources are critical resources for their livelihood to pay for food, to pay for housing, to manage their medical needs.鈥�
According to the lawsuit, 750 people at the organizations partners with have been laid off or furloughed. They include refugee resettlement agencies such as Church World Service and International Rescue Committee and Catholic Charities in other cities.
The lawsuit also notes that some refugees who receive funds have been evicted because they haven鈥檛 been able to pay rent.
Applicants who are admitted to the U.S. as refugees must go through extensive vetting and security checks. They鈥檙e often fleeing persecution or war and must meet a set of criteria to be classified as a refugee.
Texas has historically resettled more refugees than most any other state.
An uncertain future
Inside their North Dallas apartment, Raoul Ahmat and his roommate, 28-year-old Abakar Ahmat (no relation), spoke French with Jenna Dobyns, associate director for housing and welcome at , a faith-based group that helps resettle refugees.
She showed them a list of resources, such as legal aid and health clinics, and explained how to access those services. They both arrived in Dallas in December.
Political instability, religious persecution and the effects of climate change have forced hundreds of thousands of people like Raoul and Abakar to flee from Central African Republic. Before being admitted to the U.S., they both spent 10 years in a refugee camp in Chad.
Raoul said it鈥檚 difficult not knowing when the situation with the debit card will be resolved, but he鈥檚 still glad he鈥檚 in the U.S. He doesn鈥檛 have any cash except for a few quarters and other change. But he has a goal.
鈥淗is primary desire, his biggest desire, is to get a job, so that he can be independent and he can take care of himself,鈥� Dobyns said.
Several organizations that work with refugees and immigrants, including , and , are collecting donations to help families in need.
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