Key Takeaways
• MIRA sued after Trump Administration abruptly ended federal funding for green card holders’ citizenship assistance.
• Lawsuit claims DHS cannot halt congressionally allocated Citizenship and Integration Grant Program (CIGP) funds.
• As of April 2025, a Maryland judge considers restoring grants aiding immigrants’ path to U.S. citizenship.
A Massachusetts immigrant advocacy group has joined a growing national legal challenge against the Trump Administration, focusing on the abrupt end to federal support for programs that help green card holders become U.S. citizens. This lawsuit, filed in a major federal court, is the latest in a series of cases questioning whether government officials can withhold support that Congress has already decided should be given. At the heart of this legal battle are thousands of lawful permanent residents, often called green card holders, who rely deeply on help from nonprofits to complete the path to citizenship.
The lead plaintiff from Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, better known as MIRA, argues that the sudden cut to citizenship assistance funding is not just a bureaucratic decision—it threatens real people, with ripple effects for entire communities.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the story behind this lawsuit starts with a federal program known as the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, or CIGP. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ran this program, using funds that were specifically set aside by Congress to help green card holders move forward with their citizenship process. This funding supported key community services, including legal help, English classes, clinics for citizenship applications, and workshops that answer questions and prepare immigrants for the step of taking the naturalization exam.
But in a move that shocked many immigrant support groups, the Trump Administration announced both a freeze and later a complete end to these grants. This left dozens of organizations, including those in Massachusetts, scrambling to fill the gap for the people they serve.
How the Lawsuit Began
The legal challenge was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, with organizations from several states joining together. For Massachusetts, MIRA leads the charge, but they’re not alone. Other major legal names are on board, including Democracy Forward, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and LatinoJustice PRLDEF. Their goal is simple: force DHS to resume giving out the congressionally approved grants so organizations can keep helping lawful immigrants become full citizens.
Robin Thurston, who is a Legal Director at Democracy Forward, put it plainly: “This administration is unlawfully refusing to spend funds that Congress specifically allocated to help people become U.S. citizens.” The challenge is not only about the money—it’s about following the law that says once Congress sets aside money for a program, the executive branch cannot just decide not to use it.
What the Lawsuit Claims
There are several main points in the lawsuit:
- DHS does not have the power to deny funding after it was earmarked by lawmakers in Congress.
- The way the funding was stopped was not fair or open. The government is required by law to follow certain steps before making these kinds of changes.
- Because of the sudden cut, groups had to lay off workers, stop holding citizenship classes, and pause several services just as green card holders were getting ready to file their applications.
- Many immigrants now must face long waits, unfinished applications, or just give up on becoming citizens in the near future.
The legal argument also points to the Administrative Procedure Act, a law that says government agencies must act within their set limits and cannot take big steps like this without going through proper steps and explaining their reasons to the public.
Impact on Massachusetts and Beyond
To see the real cost of the Trump Administration’s decision, look at what happened in Massachusetts. Here, MIRA and groups like it lost an important source of federal funding. This forced them to cut back on several things that help green card holders become full citizens. Some of the services now in trouble include:
- English-language classes that help new immigrants get ready for the citizenship exam
- Legal advice and workshops that guide applicants through the complex paperwork
- One-on-one help for completing naturalization applications and answering tricky questions
Without the grant money, these programs now serve fewer people, and many green card holders have either had their applications delayed or left incomplete. For some, the dream of becoming a U.S. citizen is now much further away.
The situation in Massachusetts is far from unique. Across the United States 🇺🇸, groups that once provided these services say they may soon need to lay off staff or close their doors if funding is not restored. This could mean not just fewer new citizens, but also more people stuck in limbo, unable to move forward in their new country.
Citizenship Assistance: Why It Matters
For many green card holders, taking the step to become a citizen is one of the most important milestones in their lives. But the process is not easy. Citizenship assistance programs are a lifeline, especially for people who may not be strong English speakers or who are unfamiliar with the piles of paperwork required.
These programs cover several types of help:
- Teaching English and civics, which are needed to pass the naturalization exam
- Helping with the application forms and collecting the right documents
- Providing legal counseling for those with questions or special problems in their background
- Running workshops and classes to prepare applicants for every stage of the process
Without this support, many green card holders end up making mistakes on their applications or missing key deadlines. This not only slows their own path to becoming citizens but can also affect their families and communities.
The Broader Legal and Political Context
The group of Massachusetts has joined a wave of lawsuits across the country that push back at what they see as unfair federal actions by the Trump Administration relating to immigrants. Under President Trump, several policies sparked legal fights—one well-known example is the attempt to end birthright citizenship, which guarantees that anyone born in the United States 🇺🇸 is automatically a citizen.
Massachusetts’s Attorney General Andrea Campbell has also stepped in, joining lawsuits against policies she argues are against the Constitution or basic federal law. This shows a pattern by state leaders: they are watching Washington very closely and are quick to bring cases to court if they believe the rights of immigrants are under threat.
In all these legal actions, the central argument is similar—officials at the federal level can’t simply ignore laws that instruct them to provide services or support to immigrants. If Congress provides money for a specific purpose, it must be spent as directed.
Current Status of the Legal Challenge
As of the end of April 2025, the judge in Maryland is still looking at the facts of the case. The groups who filed the lawsuit are asking for something called “preliminary relief.” In simple terms, this means they want the judge to tell DHS to start giving out the grants again right away, even while the case is still being fought in court. This step is often taken if the judge thinks there could be immediate harm done if a policy remains in place.
Across the country, in similar cases, other courts have sometimes blocked the Trump Administration from carrying out new policies or forced them to keep things running as they were until a final decision is reached. It’s possible that could happen here too, especially if the judge in Maryland is convinced that immigrant communities need these services and are being hurt by the funding cuts.
The Human Cost: Stories from the Ground
While legal details matter, what’s happening to real families is what’s most important for many. For green card holders hoping to become citizens, the sudden end to citizenship assistance programs has brought real hardship. Community leaders say they have seen:
- Applicants who studied for months left waiting with unfinished paperwork
- Families who counted on free workshops now worried about paying for legal help
- Older immigrants, who especially need in-person help and language classes, feeling left behind
Some groups have even started turning away people who show up for citizenship help, because they don’t have enough staff or resources. This can make immigrants feel unwelcome or unsupported just as they are trying to join the community as full citizens.
The Legal Process: What May Happen Next
The lawsuit filed by MIRA and other groups asks the court to do two main things: first, to force DHS to start giving out the grant money again right away; and second, to order the government not to cut these funds in the future without a fair and open process.
If the court agrees, this could make a direct difference for those who lost support because of the Trump Administration’s actions. Programs could restart classes, rehire staff, and get green card holders’ applications back on track.
Still, the battle may not be over quickly. Federal court cases can take months or even years to resolve fully. During that time, many nonprofits worry about how to support their communities with less money.
A Closer Look at Citizenship Support Programs
The Citizenship and Integration Grant Program helps groups that have a proven track record of helping immigrants. To get these grants, nonprofits often must show:
- How many people they help each year
- The ways they teach English and civics
- How they help with the paperwork process
- Their understanding of the legal needs of green card holders
Groups like MIRA become trusted sources of information and support in their communities. That’s part of why supporters of the lawsuit believe it’s so important to keep these funds available—they don’t just offer classes, but also build connections that help immigrants feel like they belong.
What You Should Know If You Are Affected
If you or your family needs help with citizenship or wants to know more about available support, it’s important to stay updated. Community nonprofits are working hard to find ways to provide services even with fewer resources. You can also check the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center for reliable information about forms, requirements, and the latest updates.
If you’re waiting to apply for citizenship or had help from a group affected by these funding cuts, experts recommend keeping in touch with local support agencies, as many are still offering at least some advice or workshops.
Looking Forward
As the legal battle continues in Maryland and across the country, the result will have a big impact on green card holders who dream of becoming U.S. citizens. The outcome could decide not only what kind of help is available now, but also set a rule for how future administrations must treat funds meant for citizenship assistance.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the fight over citizenship assistance funding is much more than a debate about money. It’s about whether the government must follow its own rules when supporting immigrants who want to become Americans. For families working to build a new life, the answer could shape their future for years to come.
In summary, MIRA and other groups believe the Trump Administration crossed the line by cutting off funding that Congress meant to help green card holders become citizens. While a judge considers whether to restore these supports, hundreds in Massachusetts and beyond are waiting to see if they’ll once again get the help they need to finish their journey to citizenship. The final word will likely have a lasting effect on immigrant communities in the United States 🇺🇸.
Learn Today
Green card holder → An immigrant granted lawful permanent residence status in the U.S., allowing them to live and work permanently.
Citizenship and Integration Grant Program (CIGP) → A federal initiative providing grants to organizations that assist immigrants on their path to U.S. citizenship.
Administrative Procedure Act → U.S. law requiring federal agencies to follow fair procedures and provide reasons when making significant decisions.
Naturalization exam → The test that lawful permanent residents must pass to become U.S. citizens, covering English and U.S. civics.
Preliminary relief → A court order temporarily halting a government action or restoring programs before a lawsuit is resolved.
This Article in a Nutshell
Massachusetts’s MIRA leads a pivotal lawsuit against the Trump Administration for cutting federal funding for citizenship assistance. The case argues that halting congressionally-allocated grants for green card holders is unlawful and threatens immigrant communities. With courts reviewing, many await decision on restoration of vital support for future U.S. citizens.
— By VisaVerge.com
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