SEATTLE (BP) — A federal judge in Seattle issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend refugee admissions, saying the president likely exceeded his authority.
Three faith-based refugee service agencies — Church World Service, Lutheran Community Services Northwest and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) — and nine individual refugees sued the Trump administration after the government froze funding for refugee admissions.
U.S. District Court Judge Jamal Whitehead said on Feb. 25 the president’s executive order probably “crossed the line” of separation of powers by nullifying a law Congress passed, the Washington State Standard reported.
“To be sure, the president has substantial discretion … to suspend refugee admissions. But that authority is not limitless,” Whitehead said.
The judge, who issued his ruling from the bench, indicated he will issue a full rationale in a written opinion within a few days.
August Flentje, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice, told the judge the government probably will appeal. He asserted the executive order was well within the president’s authority to deny entry to foreigners whose admission to the United States would “be detrimental to the interests” of the nation.
Trump issued the executive order “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” on Jan. 20, asserting the nation had been “inundated” with migrants and refugees.
“The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees,” the order stated.
The order suspended the Refugee Admissions Program “until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.”
In their motion requesting a preliminary injunction, the plaintiffs asserted the executive order freezing funds for refugee resettlement has caused “irreparable and, indeed, immeasurable harm” to vulnerable refugees and the agencies that serve them.
Refugees have “seen the doors to this country suddenly slammed shut, dashing their hopes of ever reaching safety and reuniting with family members,” the motion asserted.
The motion also noted Church World Service and HIAS had to furlough “hundreds of staff worldwide and must decide whether they can outlast this assault on resettlement long enough to again welcome refugees when, if ever, the program resumes.”
Rick Santos, president and CEO of Church World Service, said his agency felt “validated” by the preliminary injunction, but parties involved “know there are miles to go before refugees, separated families and our communities can be reassured that the United States remains a nation of welcome.”
“Many of those impacted by President Trump’s actions are refugees who have already arrived in our communities. Upon arriving in the United States, they are legally entitled to employment services and social support so that they can get on their feet and become self-sufficient,” Santos stated.
“The United States has long been a beacon of hope to people fleeing violence and persecution. For the displaced, we still remain, as President Reagan said decades ago, ‘the shining city on the hill.’ The refugee neighbors we have welcomed into our neighborhoods, congregations and lives have made our communities more vibrant, prosperous and strong.
“Leaving behind refugee families our nation pledged to support is an abdication of our values, a failure of our moral leadership, and an abandonment of the faith communities we represent.”
David Duea, CEO of Lutheran Community Service Northwest, said his agency and others filed their lawsuit to “stand for justice and accountability.”
“The executive orders and stop-work orders aren’t just a breach of contract — they are a betrayal of trust for thousands of refugees,” Duea said. “Today was the first step to restore that trust.”
Mark Hetfeld, president of HIAS, said his agency was encouraged by the injunction and “hopeful that it will lead to a restoration of our ability to continue to welcome refugees, including religious minorities from Iran, Afghans who supported the U.S. mission and are now endangered, and families and individuals from all over the world who have fled violence and persecution.”
“America is at its best when it welcomes refugees,” Hetfeld said. “They are a blessing to our country, not a burden.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Camp is the managing editor of Baptist Standard. This article originally appeared in the Baptist Standard.)
