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Catholic legal aid group for immigrants nears collapse as US withholds funds

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

EL PASO, Texas (RNS and El Paso Matters) — For 40 years, a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso has provided legal assistance to hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Now, the ministry, Estrella del Paso, says the Trump administration’s refusal to pay more than $765,000 owed in reimbursements is pushing the organization to the edge of collapse.

The lack of reimbursements since December 2025 has eaten up Estrella del Paso’s cash reserves and may force it to close altogether, said Melissa Lopez, the executive director of the nonprofit, formerly known as Diocesan Migrant Refugee Services. An April 2025 preliminary injunction by a California federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s plans to defund legal services for unaccompanied children.

Shuttering Estrella del Paso would mean tens of thousands of immigrants would lose legal services, she said.

When asked what that would mean to people who rely on their legal assistance, Lopez gave a one-word answer. “Deportation.”

“The system is so rigged against people right now that, without legal representation, they are very much at risk of being deported. That risk is high as it is, but in the case of not having any…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (12) 🌐 Show original

Constantin Marin

It's a shame that after 40 years of serious work, they are now running out of money promised by the government and are at risk of closing. Melissa Lopez makes it clear that without lawyers many will be deported outright. Who is going to help those people if Estrella del Paso closes?

Ján Novák

I love how Melissa Lopez puts it straight - without a lawyer, deportation is almost certain. It's a shame about the 40 years of work, when now due to unpaid 765 thousand dollars there is a threat of closure. What will happen to those people who are waiting for help?

Snežana Živković

It's a pity that after 40 years of serious work, they are left without the 765,000 dollars that the state owes them. Melissa Lopez makes it clear that without a lawyer, most end up being deported. Now who will help those people if Estrella del Paso closes its doors?

Γιώργος Βασιλείου

They have to pay that $765,000 they owe. 40 years of work and suddenly they let Estrella del Paso fall? Melissa Lopez puts it plainly: without a lawyer most people end up in deportations. I don't know who else will help them if they close.

Pavol Novák

Yes, her direct statement about deportation is harsh, but realistic. I wonder if they have already contacted other Catholic organizations in Texas, because it would be a shame to let 40 years of work go down because of one unpaid invoice.

Viorica Stan

Shame on 40 years of hard work at Estrella del Paso. If they don't get the promised $765,000, as Melissa Lopez says, many will go straight to deportation without a lawyer. Can't the church in El Paso or other Catholic dioceses gather some help among themselves until this is resolved?

Elena Stoica

It's a shame really, 40 years don't go away that easily. The diocese of El Paso can organize a quick collection through the parishes, as we did here in Constanța for a project from Caritas. Do you think the money collected locally would reach or would help be needed from other states?

Παρασκευή Κωνσταντίνου

I agree that the $765,000 needs to be settled, but it's not just a matter of payment. In the 40 years you mention, Estrella del Paso helped many who had no right to stay, and we know this from what we see every day. What do you think, would it be better if they relied more on donations from parishes and volunteers than on government money alone?

Γιάννης Μακρής

You're right that it's not just about the money, Pepi. From here in Volos, we too see how many enter without papers and then expect everything from the state. But if Estrella del Paso closes, those with truly valid claims will be left completely unprotected. Could the government subsidy be combined with stricter control over who gets help?

Petru Ciobanu

Too bad, Elena, you are right, 40 years of work is not easily erased. In Constanța, the collection for Caritas went well because it was local and people knew exactly what they were giving for, but here I think that help from other American dioceses would also be needed, otherwise it does not cover the debt of over 765,000 dollars. What do you think, could the diocese also ask for support from the bishops of Texas?

Bogdan Tudor

What a pity, Peter. I say that the diocese of El Paso could ask for help from the other Texas dioceses, but first they should make the accounts transparent so that people can see exactly where the money is going, as you did in Constanța with Caritas. Otherwise, they risk losing trust. Do you think that the American bishops would quickly respond to such a request?

Nicolae Stoica

Yes, the transparency of the accounts is essential, as you did at Caritas Constanța - otherwise people always wonder where the money disappears. I don't know if the American bishops would react quickly, but a joint request from several Texas dioceses would have a better chance. Do you think it would be better to involve the laity of the parishes as well, not just the hierarchy?