Judge Blocks Trump’s Refugee Contract Terminations

Blindfolded Lady Justice in front of American flag

Federal Judge Jamal Whitehead blocks the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate refugee resettlement contracts, ordering restoration of funding despite the president’s executive order pausing the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

Quick Takes

Seattle federal judge partially blocked Trump administration’s attempt to suspend refugee program funding in ruling against Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s contract terminations
Judge Whitehead ruled the terminations breached statutory commitments and caused irreparable harm to resettlement agencies and refugees
The court ordered immediate restoration of funding to refugee organizations while preserving the status quo during ongoing litigation
A separate appeals court ruling allows refugees conditionally approved before Trump’s executive order to enter the U.S.
Refugee organizations celebrated the ruling as a victory for maintaining America’s commitments to displaced people

Court Intervention Against Contract Terminations

U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the refugee resettlement program through contract terminations. The judge found the administration’s actions likely violated the Refugee Act by attempting to render the congressionally established program effectively inoperative. The ruling requires the federal government to restore funding to multiple refugee resettlement agencies, including HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest, who filed the lawsuit along with nine refugees affected by the suspension.

In his ruling, Judge Whitehead directly addressed the administration’s defense that these were merely contract disputes beyond the court’s jurisdiction. The judge dismissed this argument, focusing instead on the statutory obligations the government was attempting to abandon. The timing of the terminations – just 24 hours after a court had already issued an injunction against President Trump’s refugee ban – drew particular scrutiny from the court as potentially deliberate circumvention of judicial authority.

"Ruling came during a hearing over a lawsuit brought by a group of nonprofits that receive federal funds. The nonprofits provide social services for newly-arrived refugees. A judge issued an injunction ordering the Trump administration to reinstate contracts with the nonprofits." https://t.co/kdAQnqRM6z

— Frankie Crisostomo (@FrancCrist) March 25, 2025

Legal Reasoning and Extraordinary Relief

Judge Whitehead acknowledged the extraordinary nature of his intervention but deemed it necessary to prevent permanent damage to both refugees and the organizations serving them. The court emphasized the need to preserve separation of powers when presidential actions effectively nullify programs established by Congress. The ruling highlighted that while the government has discretion in administering the refugee program, that discretion does not extend to abandoning statutory obligations established by lawmakers.

“The Court recognizes that such relief is extraordinary but concludes it is necessary to prevent permanent damage and preserve the status quo while the parties litigate the merits of this lawsuit,” U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead wrote.

The court order requires the government to restore funding immediately and provide updates on efforts to resume refugee processing. This nationwide preliminary injunction remains in place, preventing enforcement of the refugee ban while litigation continues. The ruling reflects the court’s view that irreparable harm would occur without intervention, both to vulnerable refugees whose lives remain in limbo and to the organizations structured around providing essential services to them.

Partial Victory for Trump on New Admissions

While the court blocked contract terminations, a separate ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a partial victory to the Trump administration. The appeals court decision allows the administration to suspend approval of new refugees entering the United States while requiring the government to admit those who were conditionally accepted before the suspension was implemented. The appeals court referenced a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that upheld Trump’s travel ban from several mostly Muslim countries.

“The Jewish community is all-too-familiar with what happens when countries turn their commitments to refugees, and that’s why HIAS will keep fighting in court for the lives and the safety of displaced people around the world,” said Mark Hetfield.

President Trump’s January executive order cited strain on cities and communities due to “record levels of migration” as justification for suspending the refugee program. The administration argued communities could not “absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees.” The refugee program has been a political flashpoint, with the Trump administration previously reducing admissions during his first term. Refugee agencies and advocates continue to highlight reports of stranded refugees, separated families, and canceled travel plans resulting from the suspension.