Judge Rules Refugee Entry Not Blocked by Travel Ban

A federal judge in Washington state has ruled that the Trump administration’s travel restrictions on 12 countries do not prevent the entry of 80 vetted refugees into the United States. The ruling emphasizes that the presidential proclamation explicitly states that it does not limit individuals seeking refugee status under U.S. laws.

Judge Jamal Whitehead declared that the travel ban, which applies to countries including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, and others, “expressly states” it does not restrict refugees’ ability to seek protection. The ruling orders the government to resume processing the applications of these refugees, unless it intends to challenge their coverage under the proclamation.

Previously, the government acknowledged that 80 refugees, who had been approved and scheduled for travel, are still being denied entry under Trump’s June 4 order. The judge demanded that the government identify all cases meeting specific criteria by July 21 and urged swift action to avoid prolonging their separation from safety.

The case also references existing litigation concerning the broader refugee program, noting that around 12,000 individuals had been cleared for travel before the restrictions were imposed. The judge is now investigating whether refugees whose travel plans were canceled before Trump’s inauguration on December 1, 2024, are also protected from the restrictions.

Whitehead’s ruling highlights that the order in question does not override existing U.S. laws concerning refugee admissions, and calls for the government to act promptly to process eligible cases, aiming to prevent further delays and family separations.