On January 28, 2025, in response to an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem implemented a sweeping policy to freeze all funding to organizations that support or provide services to noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents and asylum seekers. This policy jeopardizes many programs, including citizenship education and naturalization assistance, putting thousands at risk.

A coalition of civil rights and immigration service organizations, represented by Democracy Forward, filed a lawsuit on March 17, 2025, to challenge the unlawful freeze on DHS grant funding. The challenge argues that the funding freeze is unlawful, unconstitutional, and is causing ongoing harm across the country.

The freeze caused devastating consequences for many communities. The plaintiffs reported being forced to lay off staff, cancel classes, and turn away clients seeking help with naturalization. 

To prevent further harm to those communities impacted, the coalition followed the initial filing with a motion for a temporary restraining order to immediately block the unlawful freeze on DHS grant funding.

However, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland denied the plaintiff’s motion for a temporary restraining order. This decision allows for the continued and harmful breakdown of several critical programs and services for noncitizens. 

On April 25, 2025, the coalition filed an amended complaint and motion for preliminary injunction, asking the court to halt the administration’s unlawful dismantling of a critical DHS grant funding program to help green card holders looking to become U.S. citizens.

However, on May 20, 2025, the court denied the request. 

This is not the final decision of the case, and the parties will continue defending their positions while the case develops.

Timeline: 

• March 17, 2025 — We filed suit to challenge the unlawful freeze on DHS grant funding and asked the court for immediate relief blocking the policy.
• April 14, 2025 — The District Court of Maryland denied the request for a temporary restraining order
• April 25, 2025 — We filed an amended complaint and motion for preliminary injunction. 
• May 20, 2025 – The District Court of Maryland denied the request for a preliminary injunction

The plaintiffs in the case are nonprofit organizations that provide citizenship instruction, naturalization assistance, and legal representation for lawful permanent residents looking to become U.S. citizens, including Solutions in Hometown Connections, Central American Resource Center, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Community Center for Immigrants Incorporated, English Skills Learning Center, Michigan Organizing Project, D/B/A Michigan United, HIAS Pennsylvania, the Instituto del Progreso Latino, Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. Plaintiffs in the matter are represented by Democracy Forward, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and LatinoJustice PRLDEF. 

The case is Solutions In Hometown Connections et al v. Noem et al.