News & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
FEDERAL JUDGE QUESTIONS TIMING OF TERMINATION OF RESETTLEMENT AGENCY CONTRACTS AND ORDERS GOVERNMENT TO UPDATE COURT ON RESTORATION OF REFUGEE PROCESSING
Emergency hearing addressed government efforts to circumvent preliminary injunction in lawsuit challenging refugee ban
(Seattle, WA) — Today, during a hearing in Pacito v. Trump, the court noted that the timing of the federal government’s termination of resettlement agencies’ contracts last week–24 hours after the court stopped the government from implementing President Trump’s refugee ban Executive Order–“raises serious concerns.” The court also ordered the government to file a status report detailing its efforts to resume refugee processing as of Monday, March 10.
The lawsuit, challenging the suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program and the abrupt withholding of millions of dollars in critical funds to refugee-serving agencies, 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.
Plaintiffs requested an emergency hearing in response to the Trump administration’s actions undermining the court’s preliminary injunction to restore refugee processing and funding by issuing “termination” notices to resettlement agencies. The court noted that the contract terminations were a factual development following the Plaintiffs’ previous filings in the case, and Plaintiffs will supplement their complaint and request additional preliminary relief accordingly.
Melissa Keaney, Senior Supervising Attorney, Litigation, IRAP, responded to the hearing:
“The nationwide preliminary injunction remains in place, which means the government cannot enforce President Trump’s unlawful refugee ban and must restore refugee processing and funding. The court continues to recognize the devastating harm facing refugees who have been left in limbo by the Trump administration’s unlawful suspension of the refugee program, as well as the existential threat facing refugee-serving agencies as a result of the withholding of critical funds.
The Trump administration’s flagrant attempts to undermine that order show that the suspension of the refugee program was never meant to be temporary. The government seeks to shut the door on refugees and permanently dismantle this bipartisan beacon of hope for people seeking safety and a new life in America. Their actions are not only unlawful and cruel; they’re designed to undermine Congress and the judiciary.”
Background
On February 10, 2025, IRAP filed a lawsuit arguing that President Trump’s refugee ban order and his administration’s refugee suspension and suspension of funding for that work are unlawful and violate Congress’ authority to make immigration laws.
Last Tuesday, February 25, the court made an oral ruling granting a nationwide preliminary injunction to restart refugee processing. Twenty-four hours later, plaintiff organizations CWS and HIAS, along with all other resettlement agencies, received termination notices from the State Department, effective immediately, in an apparent attempt to circumvent the court’s order.
On February 27, IRAP filed a motion for an emergency status conference, arguing that the Trump administration “seek[s] to shut down the entirety of the USRAP immediately and permanently, in blatant violation of the Refugee Act, the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”), and this Court’s ruling.”
On February 28, the court issued a written preliminary injunction order. The preliminary injunction states: “Where, as here, Presidential action effectively nullifies a congressionally established program, causing irreparable harm to vulnerable individuals and organizations, judicial intervention becomes necessary to preserve the separation of powers our Constitution demands.”
Relevant court documents are available on IRAP’s website.
Additional Information
- Read the motion for the emergency status conference: HERE
- Read the preliminary injunction: HERE
- Read quotes from the press conference following last week’s preliminary injunction: HERE
- Read the amicus brief filed by 19 state attorneys general in support of the case: HERE
- Read the press release announcing the lawsuit: 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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