A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump’s indefinite suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program, ruling that the former president exceeded his executive authority by abruptly shutting it down.
In a Seattle courtroom, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead ruled in favor of refugee advocates who challenged the decision, emphasizing that while the president has discretion over admissions, it does not grant unlimited power. He pointed to the extensive legal framework established by Congress that sets limits on suspensions.
“The authority to pause refugee admissions exists, but it is not boundless,” Whitehead stated. His ruling cited the severe consequences of the shutdown, including families left stranded after selling their possessions, resettlement agencies forced to lay off staff, and indefinite delays in family reunifications.
Trump, who put the freeze in place immediately upon taking office in January, argued that refugee admissions needed stricter scrutiny to ensure cultural assimilation and prevent wasteful spending. His executive order directed officials to review the program within 90 days before determining its future.
The abrupt halt left thousands in limbo, including 1,660 Afghans who had already been cleared to enter the U.S. It also led to funding cuts for domestic refugee assistance programs as part of a broader freeze on foreign aid.
The lawsuit was brought by multiple plaintiffs, including a family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Approved for travel to the U.S. on January 22, they had already sold nearly everything they owned and vacated their home in Nairobi—only to have their journey canceled at the last moment.
For now, the judge’s ruling blocks the suspension, allowing refugee resettlement to continue—at least until further legal battles unfold.
