A federal judge in Seattle, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, has blocked President Donald Trump’s attempt to suspend the refugee resettlement program in the country. The judge, appointed by former President Joe Biden, ruled that while the president has authority over immigration, he cannot override the law established by Congress for the refugee program.

Trump’s executive orders aimed at restricting immigration included halting the refugee program, citing strains on cities from high migration levels. This program, created in 1980, provides legal migration to individuals displaced by conflict, natural disasters, or persecution, involving a thorough vetting process. Despite bipartisan support for accepting refugees, the program has faced politicization in recent years, with Trump reducing refugee admissions.

Major refugee aid groups, along with individual refugees, filed the lawsuit challenging Trump’s actions. These organizations, including International Refugee Assistance Project and HIAS, argued that the funding freeze for refugee support caused significant harm, such as layoffs and disruptions to resettlement efforts.

The judge emphasized that while the president has discretion to suspend refugee admissions, this authority is not unlimited. The Justice Department may appeal the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with potential implications for refugee aid organizations and individuals awaiting resettlement.

Overall, the ruling represents a significant development in the ongoing debate over refugee resettlement in the U.S., highlighting the complexities of balancing executive authority with congressional mandates and the humanitarian imperative of assisting displaced individuals.