Federal judge blocks Trump order suspending refugee admissions

Photo of Judge Jamal Whitehead courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

The Courthouse News Service (also LexisNexis Immigration here) reports that a President Trump executive order suspending refugee admissions

“hit a roadblock after a federal judge issued an injunction . . . . The executive order, `Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,’ was one of dozens Trump signed shortly after taking office in January. Under the executive order, refugee admissions have come to a halt, leaving some refugees in the middle of the process stranded and organizations that help resettle refugees without funding. On Feb. 10, three faith-based refugee assistance agencies and nine individual plaintiffs sued the administration, arguing the suspension violates Congress’ authority to make immigration laws. The assistance agencies said they have yet to be reimbursed for millions of dollars the State Department owes them for work in the late months of last year. U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead, a Joe Biden appointee, sided with the refugees and aid organizations. `To be sure, the president has substantial discretion to suspend refugee admissions, but that authority is not limitless,’ . . . .”

Gene Johnson for the Associated Press looks at the ruling.

 KJ