Trump administration cancels nearly $1 billion of congressional spending, targeting refugee and immigrant services

The White House announced on Friday that it is using a rarely invoked authority to rescind almost $1 billion in funding that Congress had approved earlier.

The cuts focus mainly on Health and Human Services programs that assist refugees and unaccompanied minors, which the administration says are no longer needed because border crossings have declined.

Additional reductions affect a Department of Education program for migrant students, a Justice Department office aimed at easing racial tensions, a minority business development initiative, HUD housing counseling, and several HHS grants described as “ideological”.

The move has been framed by the Office of Management and Budget as eliminating “the most harmful government spending,” but critics argue it undermines services for vulnerable populations.