Federal Judge Shuts Down Trump’s Refugee Ban Again!
A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to suspend the U.S. refugee program on Tuesday.
The decision came in response to a lawsuit from refugee resettlement organizations arguing that Trump’s indefinite suspension was unlawful and causing severe harm. While the president has significant authority over refugee admissions, it is not unlimited, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead in Washington State stated. He ruled that the suspension violated congressional limits and warranted a preliminary injunction due to the risk of irreparable harm—leaving refugees stranded, agencies cutting staff, and families unable to reunite.
Trump had paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to review its alignment with national interests, requiring periodic reports on whether it should continue. He cited concerns over assimilation and taxpayer spending. However, the suspension blocked entry for already-approved refugees, including former Afghan allies and those awaiting family reunification.
The lawsuit, filed by Church World Service, HIAS, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and nine individuals, argued that Trump’s order unlawfully froze funding, crippling resettlement agencies that provide critical services such as housing, job placement, and language training. Among those affected was a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo whose family sold everything in preparation for relocation—only to have their flight canceled at the last minute.
Deepa Alagesan, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, warned that the longer the suspension remains in place, the harder it will be to restore the refugee resettlement program.
Justice Department attorney August Flentje suggested the government may file an emergency appeal, according to the Associated Press.
The next steps in the legal battle remain uncertain, said Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, a group assisting Afghan refugees who were U.S. allies. Restarting resettlements is complex, and VanDiver questioned how the Trump Administration would respond. He cited another court ruling ordering the release of frozen foreign aid, where there were few signs of compliance. While the administration claimed it was following the order, it reserved the right to suspend or cancel funds. “What we’re worried about is they’re just going to ignore this one,” VanDiver said.
Since the 1980 Refugee Act, over 3 million refugees have been resettled in the U.S. after fleeing war, persecution, or humanitarian crises. Supporters argue the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, historically bipartisan, provides safety to some of the world’s most vulnerable and well-vetted immigrants who contribute to their new communities.
The ruling echoes the 2017 legal battle over Trump’s travel ban, which targeted refugees from Muslim-majority nations and restricted family reunifications. During his first term, Trump slashed refugee admission caps to a record low of 15,000, leading to funding cuts that forced some resettlement agencies to shut down. President Joe Biden later restored the program, resettling over 100,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024—the highest in 30 years.
Trump Administration lawyers defended the Jan. 20 order as being within presidential authority. While Judge Jamal Whitehead acknowledged the president has broad discretion over refugee admissions, he ruled that Trump’s actions effectively nullified Congress’s role in setting up the refugee program.
The International Refugee Assistance Project, which helped file the lawsuit, announced on social media that a written ruling would be issued in the coming days.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Federal judge blocks Trump’s refugee suspension