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

The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban, stop work orders and prolonged delays in reimbursement for resettlement agencies have had a devastating impact on tens of thousands of refugee families and communities across the country and around the world. Welcome to the latest edition of State of Play from Church World Service. This resource will provide regular updates from the CWS Policy Team on the current state of play; updated asks for national, state and local leaders; and the latest headlines and community resources. Subscribe now to receive daily updates on the latest developments and ways to support impacted communities.

State of Play

The latest: Litigation continues over national refugee detention and interrogation policy. On February 18, the Trump administration issued a memo describing plans to arrest and interrogate refugees who have been in the U.S. for at least a year but have not yet adjusted to a green card.

U.H.A. v Bondi. A judge in Minnesota has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the arrests of refugees in Minnesota under the new policy and describing the February 18 memo as “a new and erroneous statutory interpretation [used] to terrorize refugees.” It is not immediately clear whether or when the administration might appeal the ruling. Find the latest in the case here.
Jean A. v. Noem. IRAP, six refugee clients, the International Institute of New England and Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts have challenged the nationwide refugee arrest policy. The case currently sits before a judge in Boston, with no set hearing date. The refugee plaintiffs include those with pending green card applications and those who are waiting for medical examination appointments to become available in order to submit their adjustment applications. Find the latest in the case here.

Meanwhile, in Congress.

Negotiations continue over legislative guardrails on ICE and CBP actions. Advocates continue to push for substantive, meaningful measures like the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (S. 455 and H.R. 106). The debate has resulted in a now-17-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Per Politico, Democrats are continuing to hold out for “serious” reforms reigning in ICE.
Secretary Kristi Noem is testifying in the House and Senate this week for the first time since the deaths of Minneapolis protestors at the hands of her Department of Homeland Security. The series of committee hearings are a crucial opportunity to hold the Department to account and inquire about ongoing enforcement efforts like the policy to target and detain resettled refugees.
A discharge petition requiring a vote to extend Haitian Temporary Protected Status has gained steam in the House of Representatives. The discharge petition needs 218 votes, and already has multiple House Republicans on board. If it gets the votes, it would compel the House of Representatives to take up legislation to extend TPS for more than 300,000 Haitians who are at risk. Despite the Trump administrations efforts to terminate it, Haiti TPS currently remains in place due to an ongoing court case.

Fallout from war in Iran felt around the region, with implications for refugees. Yesterday, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi canceled visa appointments through Friday due to security risks associated with the ongoing fighting. We covered reports from over the weekend of missile intercepts above the CAS base where hundreds of Afghans have been stranded. Iran itself is host to an estimated 3.5 million forcibly displaced persons, primarily from Afghanistan.

Take action and register for RCUSA Advocacy Days June 8-10. Refugee Council USA’s annual advocacy days are an opportunity for refugees and allies to gather in community in Washington D.C. and advocate with members of congress to support humanitarian programs and defend refuge. Find more information and register here by April 3.

Today’s Headlines, Calls to Action and Community Resources

Today’s Headlines:

Timeline of relevant Executive Orders and actions taken by the Trump Administration

New York Times: Noem to Appear Before Congress for First Time Since Minnesota Immigration Surge
Reuters: At least 30,000 displaced people in shelters in Lebanon, more on the way, UN agencies say
CNN: Minnesota county attorney investigating Gregory Bovino and other federal officials over immigration crackdown
The Guardian: US moving pregnant immigrant girls to Texas to avoid providing abortions, critics say
Washington Post: D.C. restaurants brace for a wave of immigration-related workforce losses
NBC News: Federal judge nixes latest policy requiring 7 days’ notice for members of Congress to visit ICE facilities
Politico: Judge restores lawmakers’ unfettered access to ICE detention facilities

Opportunities to Take Action:

Ramadan Call for Justice: Honoring Nurul Amin Shah Alam
RCUSA: Sign up for RCUSA Refugee Advocacy Days
CWS Action Alert: TELL CONGRESS: No More Funding for Lawless Immigration Actions; We Must Pass Guardrails on ICE and CBP Abuses
CWS Action Alert: Immigrant Children Are Under Attack: Urge Congress to Demand Safety and Due Process
CWS Action Alert: Tell Your State Elected Officials to Stand with Refugees and Other Newcomers in the Wake of SNAP Cuts
CWS Action Alert: Urge U.S. Officials to Hold the Israeli Government and Hamas Accountable to Their Ceasefire Commitments and Ensure Gazans Can Access Lifesaving Aid
Sign the #WeWillWelcome pledge

Community Resources:

Stories of Impact

Gabriela: “I live in Bogota as a refugee, and I urge you and your office to support refugees and encourage the Trump administration to fully restore the refugee resettlement program and resume admissions of the most at-risk refugees worldwide. I was accepted as a refugee in December 2023. We were very excitedly waiting for our travel date and underwent medical exams for the third time on January 19, 2025. We were informed that everything was ready to travel as soon as the exams were loaded, but the next day the ban came into effect. We lost our jobs, temporary documents and health insurance. We had to move since we had talked about handing over the house and selling our belongings, leaving our situation in Colombia in limbo. Our family members traveled, leaving our family separated.”

Samuel: “I am a refugee currently residing in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. I am a father of three boys and two girls, and I am writing to express my deep concern about the safety and well-being of myself and my family. I was scheduled to travel to the United States under the refugee resettlement program, with my original flight set for 15th January 2025. Unfortunately, that flight was canceled and rescheduled for 29th January 2025, which did not materialize. Since then, our situation has worsened. My son and I have both been attacked. We are now living in constant fear and uncertainty, as we do not understand the motives of those who attacked us. This violence has left my family traumatized and vulnerable. Our lives are at risk, and we do not feel safe in the camp. I respectfully call upon you to urgently advocate for me and my family’s protection and resettlement. Refugees like us, living in the diaspora, continue to face life-threatening challenges, and without timely intervention, our safety cannot be guaranteed. I plead with you to intervene in this matter and assist in ensuring that my family and I can find safety and live with dignity.”

Find more stories of impact here, and watch this space for new stories as they arise. Have a story to share? You can share it with us via this form for refugees overseas or this form for refugees, immigrants and service providers in the U.S.