A federal judge has halted President Trump’s attempt to indefinitely suspend the U.S. refugee program, a move that was challenged by refugee resettlement organizations. U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead emphasized that while the president has authority over the program, it is not without limits, citing Congress’s framework for refugee admissions. The injunction was granted due to the potential irreparable harm caused by the suspension, including refugees being stranded, agencies laying off staff, and family reunifications being put on hold indefinitely.

Following his inauguration, Trump paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to assess its alignment with U.S. interests, with periodic reviews on whether to resume the program. This suspension impacted numerous vetted refugees, including former Afghan allies and families awaiting reunification. Additionally, federal funding for faith-based resettlement organizations was halted by the Trump Administration, hindering their ability to provide crucial services such as housing assistance, job placement, and language courses.

The lawsuit, brought by organizations like Church World Service and impacted individuals, sought to declare the suspension illegal, halt its implementation, and restore refugee-related funding. The Justice Department is considering whether to file an emergency appeal in response to the judge’s ruling. The situation continues to evolve, with updates expected.