Judge Orders Trump Admin to Resettle 12,000 Refugees, Defying Executive Halt

A federal judge has thrown a wrench into President Donald Trump’s immigration plans, ordering the immediate resettlement of 12,000 refugees into the United States. U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, appointed by President Joe Biden in 2023, issued the ruling on Monday, countering Trump’s executive order that sought to slam the brakes on the refugee admissions program.

Whitehead’s decision comes after the Trump administration argued it should only process 160 refugees, a number the judge dismissed as a blatant sidestep of judicial authority. “The Government is not free to disobey statutory and constitutional law,” Whitehead wrote, urging the administration to comply or seek clarification from the Ninth Circuit. This isn’t the first clash—earlier this year, Whitehead blocked Trump’s attempt to suspend refugee admissions, calling it an overreach that undermined Congress’s intent.

Trump’s executive order, signed on his first day back in office, paused refugee resettlement and tasked the Department of Homeland Security with assessing its merits within 90 days. But Whitehead’s ruling demands swift action, requiring the government to resume processing refugee cases and facilitate entry for those with valid clearances within seven days.

The deeper issue here is a tug-of-war between executive power and judicial oversight, with refugees caught in the crossfire. As the administration scrambles to respond, the ruling underscores the enduring tension over America’s role in global humanitarian efforts.