Organizations and nonprofits supporting undocumented immigrants are reaching out for donations after facing significant funding cuts during the Trump administration.
Shortly after he took office, the Trump administration halted federal funding for groups that provided housing, food, education, and legal assistance to millions of undocumented individuals. As a result, these organizations saw a staggering 75% decrease in their funding.
For instance, Estrella del Paso, which supports immigrants in El Paso, Texas, had anticipated a budget of $7.5 million for 2025. However, with the funding cuts from the Trump administration, they suddenly lost $5 million.
Now, these groups are asking for increased contributions from the community.
“We’ve seen a major reduction in our resources. We budgeted $7.5 million and lost $5 million in funding,” a representative shared with WTNH-TV. “This has made it even more crucial to seek help from private donors. We’re actively looking for alternatives and have initiated several lawsuits concerning the cessation of our services.”
Pastor Mark J. Saitz, head of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Migration in El Paso, is also concerned about the extensive loss of federal funds impacting various organizations they support.
“Most groups that relied on government assistance can no longer pay their staff,” he expressed.
Saitz urged the Catholic community to contribute more to the Catholic parish of El Paso’s Border Refugee Support Fund.
These organizations are not only reliant on donations; many have resorted to legal action to compel the federal government to restore hundreds of millions in funding, which supports efforts to assist undocumented immigrants.
Melissa Lopez mentioned that her organization has already filed one of these lawsuits and plans to file more.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) initiated legal proceedings in February, seeking judicial action to reverse Trump’s funding cuts and resume federal assistance.
The USCCB has historically utilized substantial USAID funding to assist in relocating undocumented immigrants across the country and integrating them into local communities.
However, while awaiting new funding, organizations like the USCCB and Jesuit Refugee Services have already had to cancel programs, lay off staff, and turn away migrants in need of support.
