Daily State of Play: Trump’s Indefinite Refugee Ban and Funding Halt

The latest: Last night, on February 20, a federal judge in Washington D.C. issued a second ruling requiring the Trump administration to restore foreign aid funding and end the implementation of sweeping stop work orders impacting numerous life-saving programs – including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This ruling came after aid groups who are plaintiffs in the case called on the judge to hold State Department officials in contempt – as the Trump administration thus far refused to unfreeze funding following an initial Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that was issued last Thursday, February 13. 

While the judge stopped short of agreeing to hold administration officials in contempt, his ruling did clarify: “To the extent Defendants have continued the blanket suspension, they are ordered to immediately cease it and to take all necessary steps to honor the terms of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, loans, and other federal foreign assistance awards.”  

Yet as of 9am ET on February 21, the freeze continues and the Trump administration has not yet reimbursed resettlement agencies for the costs of many critical life-saving programs, including funds for core Reception and Placement (R&P) services to recently-arrived refugees and funds supporting the resettlement of Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) who remain at risk due to their support for the U.S. mission.   

On the refugee ban: Also as of February 21, the Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban remains in effect. The over 20,000 refugees who were considered “ready for departure” when the ban went into place on January 22 remain stranded overseas, many in dangerous circumstances. The ban covers all entrants through the program – and despite the inclusion of a waiver process in the executive order, there have been no refugee entrants through the program since January 22. A report on the possible resumption of the refugee program is due from the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State in 59 days on April 20. Read more about the ban here, and find recent stories of refugee families who have been stranded here.  

More from the courts: In addition to the foreign aid case discussed above, we are tracking two other lawsuits challenging various aspects of the indefinite refugee ban and funding halt: 

• In Pacito v. Trump, CWS and others have challenged the Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban and funding freeze. The case is currently pending before a federal judge in Seattle, and an initial hearing is scheduled for February 25. 
• In U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops v. United States Department of State, et al., another resettlement agency, USCCB, filed suit over the administration’s refugee funding freeze. The case is currently sitting before a federal judge in Washington, D.C., and an initial hearing is scheduled for February 28.  

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill: As a government funding deadline looms in less than a month March 14, lead congressional appropriators are officially at an impasse. One sticking point: Democrats are insisting the bill include requirements for the Trump administration to actually spend the money Congress enacts into law. With three weeks to go until the deadline, there isn’t enough time to come to an agreement on full-year spending. So, three scenarios remain possible: 

• A short term stop gap funding bill until April as negotiations continue 
• A full year “Continuing Resolution” maintaining last year’s spending levels through September 30.  
• A government shutdown 

Even as significant funding remains frozen, it is vital for Congress to use the appropriations process to replenish key refugee spending accounts (such as the Migration and Refugee Assistance account and Refugee and Entrant Assistance account) and to include clear authorizing and appropriations language dictating how that funding should be dispersed to best serve refugees, newcomers, and the communities that welcome them.   

How community members and supporters of refugee resettlement can take action:

1. Reach out to your elected leaders: Email and call your elected leaders and speak out in support of refugees and newcomers under threat. Use and share this action alert to tell your members of Congress you oppose President Trump’s indefinite refugee ban and urge the Trump administration to resume humanitarian assistance and rescind executive actions targeting newcomers. Set up a meeting with your elected leaders and urge them to stand for welcoming policies (see our Advocacy 101 Toolkit for more info on setting up an advocacy meeting).
2. Join the #DefendRefuge Campaign: Encourage your state and local elected leaders to add their name to a growing list of leaders from all 50 states who are expressing strong support for welcoming refugees. Don’t know who your local leaders are? Use this tool to reach out to them.
3. To businesses and chambers of commerce: Know a local business, trade association, or chamber that supports refugees? Encourage them to sign on to this business letter on the economic and workforce benefits of the refugee admissions program. (Template for outreach here!)
4. To faith leaders: Use this link to join over 1,000 faith leaders and faith-based organizations who have signed this statement and raised their voices in outcry over the refugee suspension and funding freeze.
5. Donate to support impacted refugees and staff: Resettlement agencies are continuing to work to find ways to serve the most vulnerable refugees in their care using all of the resources at their disposal. Donate to your local resettlement agency or join in mutual aid efforts to support those in jeopardy due to recent administration actions.

Key policy asks for national, state, and local elected leaders: 

• Urge the Trump administration to immediately rescind executive orders banning refugee resettlement, halting vital programs like legal services for unaccompanied children, and harming our asylum-seeking and immigrant neighbors. To the extent these orders remain in place, exercise your oversight authority to prevent further harm.
• Call for the State Department to abide by the court’s order and resume all foreign aid and humanitarian programs and funding while the 90-day review continues. If the freeze continues, urge the State Department to swiftly clarify and expand waivers for humanitarian services to those in need – including refugees who have already been resettled across the U.S.
• Publicly express your support for refugees and the bipartisan U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE). Recognize and speak to the impact of the stop work orders and reimbursement freeze on refugee resettlement services and programs in your community. Listen to and collect stories of your constituents who have been impacted.

Upcoming National and Local Actions 

• Together We Rise Week of Action: February 17-24: We Are All America is hosting a week of action to resist the Trump Administration’s harmful executive orders, defend refugee resettlement, & advocate for safe pathways. Find resources for planning an action here and if you have an upcoming action – log it on the We Are All America map!
• Save the Date: February 25. National Day of Action in support of refugees and refugee resettlement to mark the day of the first hearing in the refugee ban case. More information is coming soon.
• Save the Date: June 2-4. Refugee Council USA National Advocacy Days in-person in Washington, D.C.

Latest Headlines 

• Guardian: Trump signs executive order targeting ‘benefits for illegal aliens’ 
• CNN: Trump administration expected to issue public health order to restrict immigration at U.S.-Mexico border 
• CBS News: U.S. pauses immigration applications for certain migrants welcomed under Biden 
• CBS News: Lawyers helping migrant children facing deportation ordered by Trump administration to “stop all work” 
• Associated Press: US Catholic bishops sue Trump administration for halt in funding for refugee settlement

Community Resources 

• Global Refuge: Parole Toolkit and IRAP: Updated Parole Explainer 
• RCUSA: Quick Reference Guide and Policy Center 
• Interfaith Immigration Coalition: Defend Refuge: Faith Toolkit for Action 
• NILC: Tell Congress: Stop Wasting Our Money Attacking Our Communities 
• Acacia Center for Justice: Restore Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children

Stories of Impact

• After fleeing Afghanistan in 2021, Mursal and Ahmad found safety in North Carolina, but their family remains trapped in danger abroad, unable to complete the refugee resettlement process due to policy changes. 
•  Taq, a resettlement caseworker in Ohio, has witnessed the devastating impact of recent Executive Orders that have halted refugee arrivals, leaving families like his own in limbo. With loved ones stranded in unsafe conditions and immigrant communities facing growing fear in the United States, Taq shares his hope for policies that honor America’s commitment to those who risked everything to support it.