Judge blocks Trump order that paused refugee admissions
U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead found President Donald Trump's day one order likely exceeded his authority.
A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order pausing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, siding with arguments that the order likely exceeded the president's authority.
“The president has substantial discretion to suspend refugee admissions. But that authority is not limitless,” U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead said in his decision. "He cannot ignore Congress’ detailed framework for refugee admissions and the limits it places on the president’s ability to suspend the same."
Between the halt in admissions, staff layoffs at refugee agencies and the indefinite suspension of family reunification, Whitehead said there appeared to be an “effective nullification of congressional will.” Further, he said, the implementation of the order “likely violates bedrock principles of administrative law.”
He said an injunction was needed because “our system of separated powers demands no less.”
The Justice Department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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