90 Days After Court Order, Trump Administration Fails to Restart Refugee Program

Key Takeaways

• As of May 30, 2025, Trump Administration has not resumed refugee admissions despite court orders.
• 128,000 refugees approved; 12,000 had booked travel before January 20, 2025 suspension.
• 9th Circuit Court affirmed injunction applies to all refugees with booked travel.

Three Months After Court Order, Trump Administration Still Hasn’t Restarted U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

Three months after a federal judge ordered the Trump Administration to restart the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), the program remains at a standstill. As of May 30, 2025, the administration has not resumed refugee admissions, leaving about 128,000 refugees—already approved to enter the United States 🇺🇸—stranded abroad. Of these, roughly 12,000 had booked travel before the January 20, 2025 executive order that suspended the program. The administration claims it cannot comply with the court’s order due to the “destruction” of the refugee resettlement infrastructure and funding cuts. Meanwhile, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed that the injunction requiring the resumption of refugee admissions applies to all individuals with previously booked travel, not just a limited group.

This ongoing suspension has left thousands of vulnerable people in limbo, including Afghans who helped U.S. forces, families separated by war, and those fleeing religious persecution. The situation has created a humanitarian crisis and sparked legal battles, with advocates and courts pressing for compliance and the administration resisting, citing operational and funding challenges.

The Current Status of USRAP

USRAP remains suspended “until further notice” under President Trump’s January 20, 2025 executive order. The order, which took effect on January 27, 2025, halted all refugee case processing and arrivals. The Welcome Corps program—a private sponsorship initiative within USRAP—was also terminated on February 26, 2025. No new refugee referrals or applications are being accepted, and all previously scheduled refugee travel has been canceled.

A federal court ordered the administration to resume processing and admit refugees already approved for travel, but the administration has not complied. Officials say that layoffs and the abrupt halt of funding to resettlement agencies have made it impossible to restart the program quickly.

Key Dates and Numbers:

• January 20, 2025: President Trump signs Executive Order suspending USRAP
• January 27, 2025: Suspension takes effect
• February 26, 2025: Welcome Corps program terminated
• Late February 2025: U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead issues preliminary injunction ordering resumption of refugee admissions
• May 29, 2025: 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirms injunction applies broadly
• 128,000 refugees approved for entry at time of suspension
• 12,000 refugees had booked travel
• 22,000 refugees (including Afghans who aided U.S. forces and family members of U.S. military personnel) stranded after suspension
• 600,000 people under consideration for admission as refugees at the time of suspension
• 100,000 refugees admitted in the last year of the Biden administration (FY 2024)

The Legal Battle: Courts vs. Administration

The legal fight over the USRAP suspension has been intense. In late February 2025, U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction ordering the Trump Administration to resume refugee admissions for those already approved and with booked travel. Judge Whitehead cited “concrete and severe harms” to refugees and resettlement agencies.

On May 29, 2025, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that the injunction applies to all individuals with previously booked travel, not just a small group. This means the administration is legally required to process and admit these refugees. However, the administration has not complied, arguing that the infrastructure for resettlement has been destroyed by funding cuts and layoffs—a problem that many advocates say the government created itself.

Legal experts and advocates argue the administration is in contempt of court for failing to comply with the injunction. They warn that the harm to refugees is “irreversible,” as many remain in dangerous or precarious situations.

The Human Impact: Refugees and Families in Limbo

The suspension of USRAP has had a devastating effect on refugees and their families. Refugees approved for U.S. entry remain stranded abroad, many in unsafe or unstable conditions. Some are fleeing war, violence, or religious persecution. Others are separated from family members already in the United States 🇺🇸.

Real-life consequences include:

• Families remain separated: Many refugees sold their belongings or left their jobs in anticipation of resettlement, only to be left in limbo.
• Vulnerable populations at risk: This includes Afghans who aided U.S. forces, families separated by war, and those fleeing persecution.
• Resettlement agencies crippled: Agencies have laid off staff and drastically reduced operations due to the sudden halt in funding and casework.

Mark Hetfield, CEO of HIAS (a resettlement agency), described the ongoing pause as “cruel” and “completely devastating” for refugees and the organizations that serve them.

The Administration’s Position

The Trump Administration has defended its actions by citing national security, assimilation, and resource concerns. Officials argue that new vetting and state/local control are necessary to protect the country. They also claim that operational and funding constraints prevent immediate compliance with the court’s order.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin (DHS) stated that the administration had “granted asylum to 8,666 individuals since January 20.” However, this number refers to asylum grants for people already in the United States 🇺🇸, not refugee admissions for those abroad. The two processes are different: asylum is for people already in the country seeking protection, while refugee admissions are for people outside the country who are approved to enter.

Akay Alp, a refugee advocate, pointed out that the administration’s argument about destroyed infrastructure is a problem of its own making, since the government cut funding and halted operations.

The Role of Resettlement Agencies

Resettlement agencies play a crucial role in helping refugees adjust to life in the United States 🇺🇸. They provide housing, job placement, language classes, and other support. The sudden suspension of USRAP and the termination of the Welcome Corps program have forced these agencies to lay off staff and reduce their operations.

Faith-based and nonprofit resettlement agencies—including HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest—are among the plaintiffs in lawsuits challenging the suspension. They argue that the pause is unlawful, devastating to refugees, and a violation of U.S. commitments and court orders.

Policy Shift: From Humanitarian Protection to Security Focus

The Trump Administration’s new framework for refugee admissions prioritizes national security, assimilation, and state/local control over humanitarian protection. This marks a sharp departure from decades of bipartisan U.S. refugee policy, which focused on helping people fleeing persecution and violence.

Policy analysts note that this shift fundamentally alters the U.S. approach to refugee resettlement. The indefinite suspension and new vetting requirements have effectively frozen the program for the foreseeable future, even for those previously approved.

In the last year of the Biden administration (FY 2024), the U.S. admitted 100,000 refugees—the highest number in decades. Now, with the program suspended, the future of U.S. refugee resettlement is highly uncertain.

Step-by-Step: What’s Happening Now

1. All USRAP processing is paused: No new applications, interviews, or travel bookings are being processed.
2. Court order requires resumption: The administration is legally required to process and admit refugees already approved for travel, but has not complied.
3. Resettlement agencies unable to operate at previous capacity: Funding cuts and layoffs have left agencies unable to provide necessary support for arrivals.
4. No clear timeline for resumption: The administration claims it could take months to restart operations, if at all.

Multiple Perspectives

Administration’s Position:
– Claims operational and funding constraints prevent immediate compliance.
– Argues new vetting and state/local control are necessary for national security.

Resettlement Agencies and Faith Groups:
– Argue the suspension is unlawful and devastating to refugees.
– Say the pause violates U.S. commitments and court orders.

Judiciary:
– Federal courts have repeatedly ordered the administration to resume admissions, citing irreparable harm to refugees and agencies.

Advocacy Groups:
– Highlight the humanitarian crisis.
– Urge Congress and the courts to enforce compliance and restore funding.

Background: How We Got Here

USRAP was established in 1980 and has resettled hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing persecution and violence. The program has long enjoyed bipartisan support as a symbol of the United States 🇺🇸 commitment to humanitarian protection.

The Biden administration admitted 100,000 refugees in FY 2024, setting a high mark for recent years. However, on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order suspending USRAP indefinitely, citing national security and resource concerns.

The Welcome Corps private sponsorship program, which allowed individuals and groups to sponsor refugees, was terminated in February 2025. Multiple lawsuits have challenged the suspension, resulting in preliminary injunctions ordering the resumption of admissions. Despite these court orders, the administration has not restarted the program.

What’s Next? The Future of U.S. Refugee Resettlement

No immediate resumption of refugee admissions is expected. The administration continues to resist court orders, citing operational incapacity. Legal battles are ongoing, with advocacy groups seeking enforcement of court orders and restoration of funding.

Congressional intervention or further judicial enforcement may be necessary to compel compliance and restore the USRAP infrastructure. The administration’s indefinite suspension and new policy framework suggest a prolonged or even permanent reduction in U.S. refugee admissions, unless overturned by court order or a future administration.

Human rights organizations warn of severe consequences for vulnerable populations, including Afghans who aided U.S. forces, families separated by war, and those fleeing persecution.

Resources for Refugees and Advocates

If you or someone you know is affected by the USRAP suspension, here are some steps you can take:

• Contact your congressional representatives to advocate for pending cases and urge action.
• Reach out to resettlement agencies such as HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest for updates and support.
• Seek legal assistance from organizations like the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and Perkins Coie LLP (counsel in Pacito v. Trump).
• Monitor official updates from the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for the latest information on USRAP status.

For more detailed analysis and ongoing coverage, VisaVerge.com reports that the legal and humanitarian implications of the USRAP suspension are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Takeaways and Next Steps

• The Trump Administration has not restarted the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program despite a federal court order.
• Thousands of refugees remain stranded abroad, many in dangerous situations, with families separated and lives on hold.
• Resettlement agencies are struggling due to funding cuts and layoffs, making it difficult to support new arrivals even if admissions resume.
• Legal battles continue, with courts and advocates pressing for compliance and the administration resisting, citing operational challenges.
• The future of U.S. refugee resettlement remains uncertain, with possible long-term reductions in admissions unless there is judicial or congressional intervention.

If you are waiting for refugee resettlement or want to support those affected, stay informed through official government sources, contact your representatives, and connect with resettlement agencies and advocacy groups for help and updates.

Learn Today

USRAP → U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, federal system managing refugee resettlement in the United States.
Executive Order → A directive issued by the U.S. President that manages operations of the federal government.
Preliminary Injunction → A court order requiring a party to act or refrain temporarily before a full trial.
Resettlement Agencies → Organizations assisting refugees with housing, employment, and community integration in the U.S.
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals → Federal appellate court that reviewed and affirmed court injunction regarding USRAP.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump Administration suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in January 2025, leaving thousands stranded. Courts ordered resumption, but operational funding cuts block restart. Refugees and agencies face a humanitarian crisis amid legal battles and uncertain resettlement futures.
— By VisaVerge.com