The most liberal circuit court in the country handed a surprise victory to the Trump Administration today.
According to Politico reporter, a three-judge panel from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked a Seattle district court’s order that would have forced the Trump Administration to restart refugee admissions. Trump can now maintain his pause on all new refugee admissions.
Politico notes that the administration must still process refugees approved before January 20. The ruling also clarifies that Trump’s executive order had no impact on those refugees.
Bill Clinton and Joe Biden appointed two of the judges, Barry Silverman and Ana De Alba, while the third judge, Bridget Bade, was appointed by President Trump.
Here’s the court’s ruling:
Last month, District Judge Jamal Whitehead, a Biden appointee in Seattle, blocked Trump’s efforts to halt the federal refugee resettlement program—one that has been abused for years by Democrat administrations and refugees alike.
Two months ago, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14155, titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” which suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) effective January 27, 2025.
This order halted refugee entry into America and barred federal funding for organizations assisting refugees, including those already in the country. The suspension was to remain in effect until it was determined that resuming the program aligned with U.S. interests.
In his ruling, Whitehead stated that Trump’s actions amounted to an “effective nullification of congressional intent” in establishing the nation’s refugee admissions program.
“The president has substantial discretion … to suspend refugee admissions,” Whitehead wrote. “But that authority is not limitless.”
Whitehead wanted to let potentially dangerous refugees into America, but his ruling was too extreme, even for the liberal-leaning 9th Circuit Court.
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