A federal judge in Seattle has blocked former President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend the U.S. refugee program. The judge ruled that while the president has the power to control immigration, he cannot override laws created by Congress that establish the refugee program.
The lawsuit was filed by refugees who were waiting to enter the U.S. and by refugee aid groups that have been affected by the suspension. These organizations said they were forced to lay off staff because the government stopped funding refugee application processing and essential support services, such as temporary housing for refugees already in the U.S.
Judge’s Decision
U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden in 2023, heard arguments on Tuesday. He stated that Trump’s decision to stop refugee admissions was effectively canceling a law passed by Congress. The judge promised to release a detailed written ruling soon.
“The president has significant power to control refugee admissions,” Whitehead said. “But that power is not unlimited.”
Government’s Argument and Appeal
The Justice Department lawyer, August Flentje, defended Trump’s order, arguing that the president has broad authority to prevent foreign nationals from entering the U.S. if he believes it is necessary to protect the country. Flentje also mentioned that the government might appeal the judge’s decision.
Trump’s order claimed that local communities were overwhelmed by record migration levels and could not handle more refugees. Currently, around 600,000 people worldwide are in the process of coming to the U.S. as refugees.
During Trump’s first term, he also temporarily paused the refugee program and later significantly reduced the number of refugees allowed to enter each year.
The Impact on Refugees and Aid Groups
Judge Whitehead disagreed with the government’s claims, saying the suspension was causing real harm.
“I have seen reports of refugees stranded in dangerous places, families who sold everything expecting to travel but had their trips canceled, and loved ones who are now separated indefinitely,” Whitehead said. “Resettlement agencies have already had to lay off hundreds of workers.”
Refugee aid organizations, including the International Refugee Assistance Project, Church World Service, HIAS, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest, have struggled due to the funding freeze. They say Trump’s order is making it difficult to provide essential help to refugees, even those already in the U.S.
Refugees Speak Out
Deepa Alagesan, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, called Trump’s decision “devastating.” She argued that the president had not shown any real harm caused by refugees entering the U.S.
Tshishiku Henry, a refugee advocate in Washington state, shared his personal experience outside the courthouse. He and his wife fled war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and resettled in the U.S. in 2018.
“The U.S. didn’t just give us shelter; it gave us a second chance at life,” Henry said. “It gave us hope for the future.”
Meanwhile, a similar case in Washington, D.C., was not immediately blocked by a federal judge, but another hearing is scheduled for Friday.
