U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a court order mandating the Trump administration to immediately admit approximately 12,000 refugees into the United States.

This ruling partially blocks President Donald Trump’s efforts to suspend the nation’s refugee admissions program, highlighting a significant legal setback for the administration’s immigration policies.

The decision follows a contentious debate over the interpretation of a federal appeals court ruling, sparking widespread discussion on immigration policy and executive authority.

The order stems from a lawsuit filed by individual refugees and major refugee aid organizations, who argued that the Trump administration’s suspension of the refugee admissions program disrupted their resettlement efforts and led to operational challenges, including staff layoffs and frozen funding for overseas application processing.

The plaintiffs contended that refugees with “arranged and confirmable” travel plans before January 20, 2025, relied on federal government promises for admission.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously narrowed an earlier ruling by Judge Whitehead but mandated continued processing for these refugees, estimated by the Justice Department at around 12,000.

During a hearing the previous week, the Justice Department, represented by attorney David Kim, argued that only 160 refugees with travel scheduled within two weeks of Trump’s order should be processed.

However, Judge Whitehead rejected this interpretation, stating it required “hallucinating new text” not present in the appeals court’s ruling.

He emphasized that the broader group of 12,000 refugees, who had made significant life changes—such as selling property or quitting jobs—must be admitted, as halting their resettlement would undermine congressional intent behind the refugee program established in 1980.

The U.S. refugee admissions program, created by Congress in 1980, facilitates legal migration for individuals displaced by war, natural disasters, or persecution.

The program has been a cornerstone of humanitarian immigration policy, allowing vetted refugees to resettle in the United States.

The Trump administration’s attempt to suspend this program aligns with its broader immigration crackdown, which includes ending Biden-era initiatives like the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) parole program and Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of migrants.

Judge Whitehead, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2023, initially blocked Trump’s order, arguing it constituted an “effective nullification of congressional will.”

Although the 9th Circuit largely upheld the administration’s authority to limit admissions, it carved out an exception for refugees with confirmed travel plans, leading to the current order.

The administration has indicated it may appeal the ruling, signaling ongoing legal battles over immigration policy.