A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration admit 12,000 refugees into the United States, marking a significant rebuke to the administration’s efforts to curb refugee admissions.
The ruling comes as part of a broader legal battle concerning the suspension of the refugee program under President Trump’s executive orders.
U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead delivered the decision after the Justice Department and refugee resettlement agencies clashed over the interpretation of previous court rulings.
While the Trump administration had argued that only 160 refugees, who were scheduled to travel shortly after the January executive order halting refugee admissions, should be allowed entry, Judge Whitehead disagreed.
He ruled that all refugees who had confirmed travel arrangements before the January 20 executive order must be processed, regardless of their travel dates.
This decision was rooted in the need to uphold both statutory and constitutional law, ensuring that the administration followed court mandates.
In addition to his decision, the judge directed the administration to restart the processing of these refugee cases immediately, allowing those with valid medical and security clearances to enter the U.S. without further delay.
The lawsuit, brought by affected refugees and nonprofit organisations, highlighted the financial and operational struggles faced by aid groups such as Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) and Jewish Family Services (JFS), which experienced severe funding cuts and staff layoffs due to the halt in refugee admissions.
