(The National Pulse)—President Donald J. Trump has suspended funding initially allocated to a New York nonprofit by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the former Biden government. Catholic Migration Services (CMS) was set to receive over $293,000 to provide naturalization services for immigrants. The grant, effective November 22, 2024, was intended to extend until September 2026.
CMS, which offers a range of services beyond naturalization, provides free legal assistance—including deportation defense—to illegal immigrants in New York. The mission statement of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) emphasizes that it aims to “advance equality and social justice in a changing and diverse population.” Notably, CMS operates four legal divisions, including Removal Defense and Naturalization teams—aimed at supporting illegal immigrants facing legal proceedings.
“CMS previously shared federal funding with other nonprofits to help lawful permanent residents become citizens. However, the Department of Homeland Security has recently frozen this program,” CMS said in response to the funding suspension. The group added: “In addition to offering various civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers, CMS also assists immigrants who have valid legal claims in removal proceedings.”
The funding suspension comes as the Trump administration aims to curb financial support to nonprofits that promote mass immigration. CMS has criticized the Trump administration for its immigration policies, which they claim instill fear within immigrant communities. The organization describes these policies as an “assault on immigrant communities.”
In previous funding allocations, the Biden government had also provided $1.2 million to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, an organization focused on changing the U.S. immigration enforcement system. Both CMS and similar groups aim to naturalize migrants and encourage political participation, potentially influencing electoral outcomes.
