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Court approves notice to end refugee medical screening contract after funding pause; commissioners split
Summary
Tarrant County voted 3–2 to authorize termination notices for a refugee medical screening contract with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants after public health officials said federal funding was paused and the clinic closed in March; commissioners requested more documentation during the debate.
Tarrant County Commissioners Court on Sept. 3, 2025 approved a notice of termination for the county’s refugee medical screening contract with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) after staff said federal funding had been paused and the clinic closed in mid‑March.
Public health staff told the court that the contract began Oct. 1, 2024 and the contract amount was $2,820,000. Commissioners asked for copies of written communications from the federal grantor; Public Health staff said they had been told by agency contacts that funding had been paused and later not resumed and that service delivery at the county clinic ended March 14. County officials agreed to locate and provide the written notice and related contract documents to the commissioners.
Commissioner Alisa Simmons pressed Public Health for clarity and asked whether the county had turned away federal funds; staff said they were not aware of a formal offer of funds the county rejected, but that follow‑up was needed. The court briefly moved to table the matter to allow staff time to assemble documents; that motion failed. After additional discussion and two public speakers, the court voted 3–2 to approve the notice of termination.
What the vote accomplishes: the action authorizes county staff to submit formal notice to USCRI terminating the refugee medical screening contract; commissioners asked staff to produce the contract text, any federal correspondence about funding pauses and a timeline of site closure for later review. Public Health said refugees continue to be served through county vaccine clinics and referrals to JPS for chronic care in the interim.
Next steps: Public Health will provide the court with the contract, written correspondence from the grantor about funding status, and a timeline of service changes. Commissioners asked for a plan ensuring no extended gaps in immunization and screening for the refugee population while grant questions are resolved.
