RCUSA Applauds Court Intervention to Block Trump Administration’s Suspension of U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program

Washington, DC – In response to the court ruling on February 25th, blocking President Trump’s indefinite suspension of the U.S. resettlement program, Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) applauds the federal judge’s preliminary injunction, which is a significant victory in restoring our moral and legal obligations to welcoming refugees fleeing violence and persecution. 

This ruling came as part of Pacito v. Trump, filed by three national and local faith-based refugee-serving agencies and nine individuals to challenge the Executive Order (EO) abruptly and indefinitely grinding refugee resettlement to a halt, as well as accompanying efforts by the administration to eviscerate our nation’s capacity to welcome by withholding congressional-appropriated funds for resettlement services. The litigation, filed in the Western District of Washington, asked the court to declare the EO illegal, enjoin all EO implementation, and restore refugee-related funding. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead indicated that the administration’s immediate suspension of refugee processing and admission “crossed the line from permissible discretionary action to effective nullification of congressional will.”

“The refugee and foreign assistance bans have already caused unimaginable existential harm to refugees and forcibly displaced populations already in the United States and abroad. The administration’s abrupt halting of the U.S. resettlement program, and its suspension of foreign assistance, leaves refugees and other displaced persons at heightened risk of trafficking, abuse, and exploitation. Yesterday’s preliminary injunction is an important step toward restoring these life-saving programs, which not only assist refugees but make our country stronger in so many ways” said John Slocum, Executive Director of Refugee Council USA.

Statements were issued by RCUSA member organizations – the International Refugee Assistance Project, Church World Service, and HIAS – following the ruling. RCUSA previously commended resettlement agencies for pursuing legal action, urging the Trump administration to restore urgently needed refugee and humanitarian protections. 

Resources

• Watch a recording of February 25th’s post-hearing press conference and rally here.
• Read the amicus brief filed by 19 state attorneys general in support of the case here.
• Read the press release announcing the lawsuit here.
• Read the court documents here.

Media contact: Mariam Sayeed, msayeed@rcusa.org 

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. This statement does not necessarily reflect the views of each individual RCUSA member organization.

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