Trump Moves to Cancel Nearly 1 Billion dollar in Federal Spending, Targeting Immigrant Services

US President Donald Trump has moved to cancel nearly $1 billion in federal spending, including hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to programs supporting immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and other non-citizens. The White House announced the move on September 25, saying the administration plans to withdraw around $810 million in previously approved funding through a budget mechanism known as a “pocket rescission.” The administration has described the spending as wasteful or inconsistent with its priorities and said the move is aimed at ensuring taxpayer money is directed toward programs it considers necessary.

The largest portion of the proposed cuts, approximately $567 million, involves funding administered by the Department of Health and Human Services for programs serving refugees, asylum seekers and other non-citizens. The administration has argued that changes in the situation along the US-Mexico border have reduced the need for some of these services.

Additional funding is being withdrawn from programs operated by the Department of Homeland Security. These include services such as legal assistance, mental-health support and cultural orientation for immigrants and other non-citizens. The package also includes funding connected to education programs for migrant students, as well as money allocated for international education and certain health research initiatives.

The decision has opened another debate over the president’s authority to block federal money that Congress has already approved. While the White House maintains that the rescission mechanism can be used to prevent certain funds from being spent, lawmakers have questioned whether the administration can unilaterally cancel appropriated funding without congressional approval.

Senator Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has criticized the administration’s approach and raised concerns about the lack of congressional involvement. Other lawmakers have also questioned the legality and scope of the move. The latest action is part of the Trump administration’s wider effort to reduce federal spending and reshape government funding around its policy priorities. For nonprofit organizations, schools and other groups that depend on federal grants, the cuts could affect services and programs that had previously been funded through government appropriations. The administration’s decision is expected to receive further scrutiny from Congress and could face legal challenges as officials move to implement the spending cancellations before the end of the fiscal year.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from AP.