What Is the Status of D.C.’s Budget, and Why Does It Matter?
Pictured left to right: Ayuda team members Sandra Benavente (Advocacy Manager), Tatiana Santos (Training and Technical Assistance Specialist), Diana Batres (Language Access Coordinator), and Gabi Farrell (Advocacy Associate) pose at the Wilson Building after testifying against cuts to the social safety net.
Since January, Ayuda’s advocacy efforts in D.C. have focused on securing a Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget that protects the programs and services that immigrant communities depend on. This work has taken place amid continued federal interference in D.C.’s finances and the lingering devastation of prior budget cuts, which set the stage for a difficult FY27 budget season. Those challenges only intensified when the Mayor’s proposed budget cut housing, legal services, childcare, and other essential supports that help immigrant families stay healthy, safe, and economically secure.
What Is in D.C.’s Budget?
As the D.C. Council advances the FY27 budget through its final stages, we are pleased to share several important victories for immigrant survivors and communities across the District. On June 9, the Council gave initial approval to a FY27 budget that restored, at least in part, many of the programs the Mayor proposed cutting.
Key wins for D.C. immigrants include:
- Access to Justice Initiative (ATJ) funding restored to FY26 levels ($31.8M) after an 86% proposed cut. ATJ supports critical civil legal services, including Ayuda’s Project END, the Immigrant Legal Defense Program, and the Community Legal Interpreter Bank. These cuts would have significantly reduced services and limited access to legal support for D.C.’s immigrant communities. Listen to our testimony in support of ATJ here.
- $5.6M restored for Victim Services Grants, returning funding to FY26 levels and maintaining support for survivors, including legal representation, safe housing, language access, and trauma-informed services. Listen to our testimony in support of victim service grants here.
- Reversal of some of the cuts made to the D.C. Healthcare Alliance, including removing the age-based moratorium for new enrollees up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) and restoring specialty services. Listen to our testimony in support of Alliance here.
These gains reflect months of sustained advocacy from Ayuda’s team, partners, and our incredible community. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contacted Councilmembers, testified, shared their stories, and showed up throughout the budget process. Together, we’ve made a real difference.
What Does This Budget Mean for D.C. Residents?
While these restorations are worth celebrating, there is more work ahead. The revised FY27 budget still leaves many gaps and relies heavily on short-term solutions rather than sustained investments for our immigrant communities. Many critical programs were only partially restored, and much of that funding is one-time rather than recurring, raising concerns about long-term stability.
For example, although the Council restored much of what was cut from Alliance last year, it failed to restore income eligibility to 215% below the Federal Poverty Level, leaving many Ayuda clients — and other D.C. residents — without healthcare access.
More broadly, the Council avoided new revenue raising measures needed to sustainably fund the social safety net. Instead, it relied on reserves and temporary decoupling federal tax cuts to partially restore programs. These choices set the stage for another difficult budget year ahead, setting up our immigrant neighbors to once again risk losing the services they depend on.
What Comes Next?
While the budget heading to a final vote next week preserves important programs that were at risk, we know that it can still do better for immigrant communities. Ayuda will continue to advocate alongside our partners for long-term solutions that ensure immigrant communities have consistent access to the care, legal support, and resources they need to survive and thrive.
In the weeks ahead, and the years to come, let’s carry forward the energy and impact of this budget advocacy season and the power of collective effort to create a stronger, more equitable D.C. for all.
Stay tuned for the D.C. Council’s second and final vote on the D.C. FY27 Budget on June 23.
For more background on the draft FY27 Budget, view our previous blog here.