Original Date Announced

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a memorandum placing "on hold pending review, except to the extent required by controlling legal authority," all DHS grant disbursements and assessments of grant applications that: (1) go to non-profit organizations or for which non-profit organizations are eligible; and (b) "touch in any way on immigration." As justification, the memorandum cites "concerns that these grants may be funding illegal activities," "concerns that there may be racially discriminatory language in certain grants," and "concerns that these grants may not be an efficient use of government resources."

The memorandum was made public through litigation in Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem, No. 8:25-cv-00885 (D. Md.).

Trump 2.0 [ID #2185]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.03.17 Complaint - Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem

Nine nonprofit grantees of USCIS's Citizenship and Integration Grant Program (CIGP) filed a lawsuit challenging DHS's general freeze of immigration-related nonprofit grants following EO 14159 and the January 28, 2025, memorandum by Secretary Noem described in this entry.

The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration's actions violate the APA; violate separation of powers by refusing to spend congressionally appropriated funds; violate due process by withholding grant funds from plaintiffs without an opportunity to challenge; and are ultra vires. Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief preventing the freeze on the disbursement of DHS funds. Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem, No. 8:25-cv-00885 (D. Md.).

**Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.04.14 Memorandum Opinion - Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem

District Judge Lydia Kay Grisggsby denied plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction as to the eight plaintiffs who received CIGP grants funded by the FY 23 Appropriations Act. The court held that these plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success upon the merits of their APA claims because their claims are essentially contract claims against the United States for which the Court of Federal Claims has exclusive jurisdiction. The court held in abeyance the motion as to the remaining plaintiff who received grant funding under the FY 24 Appropriations Act. Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem, No. 8:25-cv-00885 (D. Md.).

**Link to case here. See litigation notes above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.04.25 Amended Complaint - Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem

Ten nonprofit grantees of USCIS's Citizenship and Integration Grant Program (CIGP) filed an amended complaint to challenge the Trump administration's freeze of immigration-related nonprofit grants. The amended complaint broadens the challenge to include DHS's dismantling of CIGP in its entirety after the freeze. Plaintiffs allege that the "unexplained and unreasonable shuttering of a congressionally funded program" violates the APA, separation of powers, and due process, and is ultra vires. They also allege that defendants retaliated against plaintiffs in violation of the First Amendment by shutting down the CIGP just two days after plaintiffs filed their motion for preliminary relief. Plaintiffs request declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent defendants from dismantling the CIGP. Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem, No. 8:25-cv-00885 (D. Md.).

**Link to case here. See litigation notes above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.05.29 Memorandum Opinion - Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem

District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby denied plaintiffs' renewed motion for a preliminary injunction and APA stay. The court held the plaintiffs had not shown a likelihood of success because their APA, separation of powers, and ultra vires claims fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims. The court also found that, to the extent that the plaintiffs' APA claims are based on the "dismantling" of the CIGP, plaintiffs failed to identify a discrete agency action. Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem, No. 8:25-cv-00885 (D. Md.).

**Link to case here. See litigation notes above**

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2026.01.23 Opinion - Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem

A split Fourth Circuit panel affirmed the District Court for the District of Maryland's denial of a preliminary injunction. The court stated the case was "factually analogous” to two other recent cases involving grant terminations that the Supreme Court found belonged in the Court of Federal Claims. The court also held that plaintiffs failed to provide any statutory language supporting their ultra vires or separation-of-powers claims. Solutions in Hometown Connections v. Noem, No. 25-1640 (4th Cir.).

**Link to case here. See litigation notes above**