Judge Orders Trump Administration to Reinstate Terminated Refugee Resettlement Contracts

A federal judge on March 24 ordered the Trump administration to reinstate refugee resettlement contracts that officials had terminated, finding that the extraordinary relief was warranted as a legal case proceeds. U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead said that all contracts terminated under President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) must be reinstated. “The Court recognizes that such relief is extraordinary but concludes it is necessary to prevent permanent damage and preserve the status quo while the parties litigate the merits of this lawsuit,” he wrote in a 37-page decision. The preliminary injunction is set to remain in place until a further order from the court or unless a higher court stays it....