Federal Court Allows Class Action Over Trump Refugee Suspension

A federal court in Seattle has allowed a class action lawsuit to proceed against President Donald Trump's suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program, providing new legal momentum for refugees and related groups challenging the administration's policy. The lawsuit, filed by the International Refugee Assistance Project and others, represents three subclasses: refugees awaiting admission, those eligible for special immigrant visas due to their work with US military forces, and refugees petitioning for family reunification. Judge Jamal N. Whitehead certified the class, emphasizing that while harms vary among individuals, the actions taken by the administration broadly affect the subclasses and that relief would address these harms. The ruling follows a Supreme Court decision that limited the ability of federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions, making class certification a crucial avenue for continuing legal challenges. Despite the certification, the injunction blocking the suspension remains paused pending further appellate review. Advocates argue the suspension has left many refugees in limbo, often in dangerous conditions, and seek to restore the status quo so that refugees can continue their resettlement process safely.