News & Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
REFUGEE BAN CHALLENGE WILL MOVE FORWARD AS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
A federal court also denied the government’s motion to dismiss the case
(Seattle, WA) – Today, a federal court ruled that the legal challenge to the Trump administration’s suspension of refugee resettlement can move forward as a class action lawsuit on behalf of all impacted refugees. The court also denied the government’s motion to dismiss the case. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed Pacito v. Trump on behalf of Church World Service (CWS), HIAS, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW), as well as nine impacted individuals, who now represent three subclasses of impacted refugees.
The subclasses include refugees awaiting admission to the United States; refugees and Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa holders in the U.S. who are entitled to resettlement support; and refugees petitioning for family members to come to the U.S. through the Follow-To-Join refugee program. After a Supreme Court ruling on June 27 limited the ability of federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions, class certification ensures that the case will continue to be able to provide relief on a wide scale.
“Today’s orders ensure that this case will move forward on behalf of all people harmed by the Trump administration’s unlawful refugee ban,” said Linda Evarts, Senior Supervising Attorney in IRAP’s Litigation department. “We will keep fighting to ensure they have their day in court.”
Earlier this month, named plaintiff Pacito was among a number of refugees who resettled in the United States as a result of the lawsuit.
Additional Resources
- Read the class certification order: HERE
- Read the denial of the motion to dismiss: 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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