Overview
- U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead has ordered the Trump administration to admit approximately 12,000 refugees who had confirmable travel plans before the January suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
- The administration argued that only 160 refugees qualified under the Ninth Circuit's ruling, but the judge dismissed this interpretation as unfounded and inconsistent with the court's language.
- Whitehead instructed the government to resume processing eligible refugees and ensure admissions for those with valid medical and security clearances within seven days.
- The Refugee Act of 1980, which established USRAP, mandates resettlement of individuals displaced by war, persecution, or disasters, and the court emphasized adherence to congressional intent.
- The administration is expected to seek further clarification or appeal the decision to the Ninth Circuit, continuing the legal battle over the scope of executive authority on refugee admissions.