Share
MILWAUKEE — A federal judge has halted a loan forgiveness program for farmers of color in response to a lawsuit alleging the program discriminates against white farmers.
U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Milwaukee issued a temporary restraining order Thursday suspending the program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
The program pays up to 120% of direct or guaranteed farm loan balances for Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American or Pacific Islander farmers. President Joe Biden’s administration created the loan forgiveness program as part of its COVID-19 pandemic relief plan.
Emily Newton, the lead attorney representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the lawsuit, didn’t immediately respond to an email Friday seeking comment on the restraining order.
Minority farmers have maintained for decades that they have been unfairly denied farm loans and other government assistance. Federal agriculture officials in 1999 and 2010 settled lawsuits from Black farmers accusing the agency of discriminating against them.
Conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed suit in April arguing white farmers aren’t eligible, amounting to a violation of their constitutional rights. The firm sued on behalf of 12 farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon and Kentucky.
RELATED TOPICS:
Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight
1 day ago
Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase
1 day ago
613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN
1 day ago
Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man
1 day ago
Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal
1 day ago
Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco
1 day ago
Russia Pounds Kyiv With Largest Drone Attack, Hours After Trump-Putin Call
1 day ago
How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again
10 hours ago
Categories

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man
