Dozens of Catholic groups that challenged the contraceptive mandate of the Affordable Care Act have reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department, they announced late Oct. 16.
Groups settle in lawsuit against HHS contraceptive mandate
Advocates find there’s little to like in White House immigration plan
The 70-point Immigration Principles and Policies sent to Congress Oct. 8 calls for a major tightening of immigration laws; raising the standard of proof for asylum seekers; and limiting family members of current immigrants who can enter the country.
Bishop says Trump proposals do not reflect U.S. immigrant tradition
In an Oct. 10 statement, Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas said the Trump administration policy proposal’s principles fail to recognize that the family is the fundamental building block of our immigration system, our society and our church.
Catholics voice concern about EPA efforts to dismantle Clean Power Plan
An Environmental Protection Agency decision to roll back an Obama-era regulation to curb carbon dioxide emissions from power plants met with disapproval and pledges to work to keep key components of the plan in place from Catholic organizations.
Trump administration expands exemptions on contraceptive mandate
The Trump administration Oct. 6 issued interim rules expanding the exemption to the contraceptive mandate for religious employers, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor, who object on moral grounds to covering contraceptive and abortion-inducing drugs and devices in their employee health insurance.
Faith groups ask government to reconsider historically low refugee cap
The U.S. Catholic bishops and other faith groups are objecting to reports that the Trump administration will limit the number of refugees the United States accepts to 45,000 for the upcoming fiscal year.
Supreme Court blocks lower court’s ruling that lifted Trump travel ban
The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked part of a lower court ruling that would have allowed certain refugees into the country even though they had been banned by a presidential executive order.
Federal appeals court rules grandparents not part of Trump’s travel ban
The Justice Department said it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court a lower court’s ruling that rejected the Trump administration’s limits on who can be allowed into the United States under the administration’s travel ban.