Refugees from travel ban countries must be allowed to enter U.S., Seattle judge rules

A federal judge in Seattle ruled that the Trump administration must allow refugees from countries targeted by the travel ban to enter the U. S. U. S. District Court Judge Jamal Whitehead's decision could enable around 80 refugees to arrive immediately and may also impact more than 4,000 cases with postponed travel plans.

Whitehead ordered the government to facilitate entry for refugees meeting the appellate court’s criteria, which includes having travel scheduled within two weeks of Trump's order. The lawsuit was filed by individuals and organizations, like Lutheran Community Services Northwest, after the administration halted refugee admissions. The ruling also addresses concerns that the administration is undercounting affected refugees, potentially excluding those whose plans were delayed for reasons other than the ban. Within a week, the federal government must identify cases meeting the criteria set by the appeals court. Additionally, the ruling mandates expedited entry for unaccompanied refugee children and Afghan refugees currently in Qatar.

This decision underscores the legal and procedural complexities surrounding U. S. refugee policy during the Trump administration.