Catholic Charities makes changes to refugee ministry

April 18, 2025

On Jan. 20, President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning refugees from coming to the United States. Refugees are people fleeing their homeland because of violence, war, or persecution, and who are vetted and cleared by the U.S. government to seek refuge in the United States.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops made the announcement on April 7 that it would end its agreements with the federal government related to children’s services and refugee support, citing the government’s decision to stop welcoming refugees. 

The federal government previously contracted with the USCCB to help resettle refugees. Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Des Moines empowered individuals and strengthened refugee families by helping them secure housing, learn how to use public transportation, enroll children in school, find jobs, and more.

Catholic Charities had planned to resettle 425 refugees this fiscal year. They resettled 121 between October and Jan. 20, when the flow of incoming refugees ended.

With no new refugees coming, and the federal government still owing Catholic Charities for work already accomplished, The Des Moines diocesan agency had to eliminate eight staff positions of those who directly served newly arriving refugee clients in late February.

Earlier this month, the USCCB notified Catholic Charities that it will also be terminating its relationship with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, effectively eliminating the future of post-resettlement work with refugee clients via any partnership with the federal government. The remaining six staff positions of those who served clients in a more long-term way have now also been eliminated from the local agency.

Moving forward, Catholic Charities remains focused on providing the most robust care possible for the vulnerable communities that they serve, including our refugee neighbors, through new programming. A Community Resource Coordinator will help the marginalized among us navigate their way to the support they need and deserve within their community.

“While this marks a painful end to a life-sustaining partnership with our government that has spanned decades across administrations of both political parties, it offers every Catholic an opportunity to search our hearts for new ways to assist,” said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the USCCB.

He called the decision heartbreaking.

“For half a century, we have been willing partners in implementing the government’s refugee resettlement program. The Gospel’s call to do what we can for the least among us remains our guide,” he said. “We ask you to join us in praying for God’s grace in finding new ways to bring hope where it is most needed.”

“While our direct support for the refugee community is changing, our love and care for them will never cease,” said Mike Sheehy, executive director of the local Catholic Charities agency.

“Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Des Moines has existed to serve the less fortunate among us for more than 100 years and we remain committed to being Christ’s hands and feet here in central and southwest Iowa. Our mission to empower individuals and strengthen families has never felt more important than when we ourselves are also faced with adversity,” he said.