News & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.orgCOURT ORDERS GOVERNMENT TO COMPLY WITH PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN LAWSUIT CHALLENGING REFUGEE BAN
(Seattle, WA) – Yesterday, a federal court granted a motion to enforce its prior orders and once again reiterated that the U.S. government must restore processing and admissions, including the funding necessary for both, for individuals USCIS conditionally approved as refugees prior to January 20. The order further requires the parties to propose a detailed schedule for the government to come into compliance with the previous orders. The ruling in Pacito v. Trump followed an April 9 emergency hearing held in response to the Trump administration’s defiance of court orders from the Western District of Washington and the Ninth Circuit.
The lawsuit challenges the administration’s refugee ban and was filed by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) on behalf of Church World Service (CWS), HIAS, Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), and nine impacted individuals.
The following is a reaction from Megan Hauptman, Litigation Fellow, IRAP:
“Today, the court was clear that the government can no longer endlessly delay its obligation to process and admit conditionally approved refugees. The government’s recent actions not only demonstrate non-compliance with court orders, but open defiance that wreaks daily harm on refugees and the organizations that serve them. This court order is a necessary step to ensure real progress is made to restore USRAP so that it can continue to provide a lifeline for refugees seeking safety as Congress intended.”
Background and Resources
Although the Trump administration is required to restore USRAP processing for refugees who were conditionally approved prior to January 20, the government has taken little to no concrete action to do so and has continued to withhold funding from resettlement agencies who facilitate refugee processing and admission. On April 2, the government sent resettlement agencies letters saying it would reinstate their cooperative agreements per the district court’s order of March 24, only to perform a bait and switch by immediately suspending those agreements.
- Read the decision: HERE
- Read the motion for the emergency status conference: HERE
- Read the motion to enforce the preliminary injunction: HERE
- Learn more about the case: HERE
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. Everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.
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