Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

• January 22, 2025

  2025.01.22 - Reported: CNN - "Flights cancelled for refugees who were slated to travel to the U.S."

  CNN reports that days before the effective date for the refugee-admissions suspension, DOS sent a memo to resettlement partners halting flights for refugees slated to travel to the U.S. The memo reportedly states: "All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made. RSCs should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time."

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• February 7, 2025

  2025.02.07 - DOS: Update on I-730 Following-to-Join Refugee Processing at the Department of State

  DOS announces an "Update on I-730 Following-to-Join Refugee Processing at the Department of State." In response to EO 14163, the government has suspended the processing of all refugee applications under USRAP. This includes following-to-join refugee (FTJ-R) travel eligibility determinations conducted at U.S. embassies and consulates. DOS directs "FTJ-R beneficiaries whose cases are already at a U.S. embassy or consulate to contact that embassy or consulate directly" to inquire about interview status and retrieve their passports. FTJ-R beneficiaries whose cases are at the National Visa Center (NVC) should contact NVC using the Public Inquiry Form. FTJ-R beneficiaries "in possession of unexpired boarding foils" should direct travel questions to CBP.

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• February 10, 2025

  2025.02.10 Pacito et al. v. Trump, 2:25-cv-255 (W.D. Wash.) - Complaint

  Individual and organizational plaintiffs filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's move to indefinitely pause the U.S. refugee program and his administration's suspension of DOS and HHS funds to organizations providing overseas refugee-admission assistance and domestic reception and placement for newly arrived refugees. Pacito v. Trump, 2:25-cv-00255 (W.D. Wash.).

  **Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**

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• February 28, 2025

  2025.02.28 - Preliminary Injunction - Pacito et al. v. Trump, 2:25-cv-255 (W.D. Wash.)

  U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction granting Plaintiffs' motion in Pacito v. Trump, 2:25-cv-00255 (W.D. Wash.). The order enjoins implementation of Sections 3(a), (b), and (c), and section 4 of EO 14163 and prohibits "the suspension of refugee processing, decisions, and admissions . . . suspending or implementing the suspension of [United States Refugee Admissions Program] USRAP funds . . . [and] withholding reimbursement to resettlement partners for USRAP-related work performed pursuant to cooperative agreements." Judge Whitehead found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that the enjoined actions were ultra vires and violations of the Administrative Procedure Act.

  **See litigation note above**

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• March 14, 2025

  2025.03.14 DOS: Update on I-730 Following-to-Join Refugee Processing at the Department of State

  DOS announced that, consistent with the preliminary injunction in Pacito v. Trump, it has resumed the processing of following-to-join beneficiaries who are relatives of refugees already in the United States. DOS will communicate directly with beneficiaries whose appointments were previously canceled to reschedule their appointments. DOS will also continue processing any application for which the following-to-join refugee beneficiary has already been interviewed.

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• March 24, 2025

  2025.03.24 Second Preliminary Injunction - Pacito et al. v. Trump

  The district court found that hours after it issued the first preliminary injunction on February 28, Secretary of State Rubio began terminating all of the government's resettlement agency cooperative agreements on the grounds that they “no longer effectuate agency priorities.” The court held that the sudden terminations are likely arbitrary and capricious, and issued a second preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of the terminations and ordering the government to reinstate the cooperative agreements.

  **Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**

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