Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Pause of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; 'Authority is Not Limitless'

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump's Day One executive order to suspend the U.S. refugee program, siding with a coalition of resettlement groups challenging its suspension and the cutoff of funding for organizations serving refugees already in the country.

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead said that Trump's order nullified the "congressional will" behind the refugee admissions program, which originated from the Refugee Act of 1980—a bipartisan effort signed into law by President Jimmy Carter to standardize refugee resettlement and reinforce America's humanitarian commitments.

"The president has substantial discretion ... to suspend refugee admissions," Whitehead told the parties. "But that authority is not limitless."

Plaintiffs in the suit include nine refugees, the Church World Service, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and HIAS, formerly the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

Trump's January 20 order suspended the processing of foreign nationals fleeing persecution for 90 days while administration officials reviewed whether the refugee program aligns with the "interests of the United States."

Earlier this month, a federal judge declined a similar case brought by Catholic bishops, per The Hill.

Trump suspended the refugee program, claiming it was detrimental to U.S. interests and raised security and financial concerns. However, research by the Wilson Center shows refugees contributed nearly $124 billion more to the U.S. economy than they received between 2005 and 2019. Advocates also cite the years of rigorous vetting process refugees undergo to be able to apply to the program and enter the country.