Judge says Trump administration can't use travel ban to keep 80 refugees out of the US
Share this @internewscast.com

A federal judge has prohibited the Trump administration from applying its travel ban to prevent 80 already-vetted refugees from entering the United States.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead in Seattle ruled that President Donald Trump’s June order, which bans people from 12 countries from entering the U.S., “expressly states” that it does not affect individuals seeking refugee status.

This order, named “Proclamation 10949—Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” includes a clause specifying that its provisions should not be interpreted to restrict an individual’s ability to pursue asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, or protection under the CAT, in accordance with U.S. laws.

In his ruling, Whitehead said “by its plain terms, the Proclamation excludes refugees from its scope.”

Barring refugees from entering the U.S. would limit their ability to seek refugee status and therefore run counter to the Republican president’s order, the judge added.

He ordered the administration to immediately resume processing 80 “presumptively protected refugees” that were rejected based on the travel ban.

The State Department did not immediately have comment Tuesday.

Whitehead also laid out a process for the government to vet refugees from the countries covered by the travel ban and other countries who were denied entry when the president suspended the nation’s refugee admissions program within hours of taking office on Jan. 20.

The decision left thousands of refugees who had already gone through a sometimes years-long vetting process to start new lives in America stranded at various locations around the world, including relatives of active-duty U.S. military personnel and more than 1,600 Afghans who assisted America’s war efforts.

Under a framework established by an appellate court, those refugees should be admitted if they had previously been cleared for travel to the U.S., had arranged and confirmable travel plans and had taken steps such as selling property or giving up their home that showed a reliance on the U.S. government’s assurance of their refugee status.

The administration has previously said 12,000 people had been approved and booked for travel as refugees before it suspended the refugee program. Many of those cases will now have to be examined individually to see whether they meet the appeals court’s criteria for entry.

The lawsuit Whitehead is overseeing was filed in February by some individual refugees along with refugee aid organizations who said the administration froze their funding. The plaintiffs later asked the judge to make the case a class-action lawsuit so that the rulings could apply to other refugees facing similar circumstances.

Whitehead said the suspension likely amounted to a nullification of congressional will, since Congress created and funded the refugee admissions program. He issued a preliminary injunction barring the federal government from suspending refugee processing and refugee aid funding.

But the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals put most of that decision on hold in March, finding the administration was likely to win the case because the president has broad authority to determine who is allowed to enter the country. The appeals court later set out the criteria for admitting some of the refugees.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trump administration makes changes to free entry day list for national parks

Trump Administration Revises National Park Free Entry Days: What Visitors Need to Know

In a significant policy shift, national parks throughout the United States, including…
Resilient Islanders beat Golden Knights in shootout

Islanders Triumph in Epic Shootout Battle Against Golden Knights – A Resilient Victory!

The Islanders delivered a much-needed offensive surge just when they required it…
DC’s Poverty Fiction: 40.8M vs. America’s 178.5M Reality

Unveiling the Truth: Disparities in Poverty Figures Between DC and the Rest of America

By Seton Motley Monetary inflation orchestrated by the government continues to be…
On the frontlines of the fight for a bird-friendly NYC

Transforming NYC: The Pioneering Battle for a Bird-Friendly Urban Oasis

On a brisk October morning in New York City, Melissa Breyer arrived…
3 people arrested after 7 Providence College students overdose at off-campus party

Shocking Arrests: 7 Providence College Students Overdose at Off-Campus Bash

In a recent incident, three individuals found themselves in police custody, accused…
REPORT: Utah Entering Landmark Deal with Private Equity Firm Expected to Raise $500 Million

Utah Poised for Historic $500M Agreement with Private Equity Firm, Report Reveals

Amidst the heated discussions about Notre Dame’s exclusion from the College Football…
Mom of missing autistic son released, but boy’s disappearance still a mystery

Breaking: Mother Released Amid Ongoing Mystery of Missing Autistic Son’s Disappearance

In a significant development, a Brooklyn judge has ordered the release of…
Ariana Grande makes rare comment about Mac Miller 7 years after his death

Ariana Grande Opens Up About Mac Miller: A Heartfelt Tribute 7 Years On

Ariana Grande recently opened up about the profound impact Mac Miller had…
Second body found after deadly Stamford standoff was homicide victim

Shocking Discovery: Homicide Victim Found Amid Stamford Standoff Aftermath

A Stamford, Connecticut man, who engaged in an intense standoff with law…
Trump administration revokes record 85,000 visas in sweeping immigration crackdown targeting safety threats

Trump Administration Revokes Unprecedented 85,000 Visas in Major Immigration Crackdown to Enhance National Security

The Trump administration has taken significant steps to intensify its examination of…
Susie Wiles: Trump Will Campaign for 2026 Midterms 'Like It's 2024 Again'

Susie Wiles Reveals Trump’s Bold Strategy to Dominate the 2026 Midterms: A 2024 Replay

White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has announced that President Donald…
Trump Touts the Economy and Tackles 'Affordability' in Pennsylvania

Trump Highlights Economic Growth and Addresses ‘Affordability’ Concerns in Pennsylvania

On a crisp Tuesday evening, President Donald Trump made his way to…