A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to swiftly admit over 12,000 refugees into the United States, pushing back against what the court described as an overly narrow interpretation of a previous ruling.
The decision stems from a legal dispute over the administration’s pause on refugee admissions. The government argued that only 160 individuals qualified for entry, but the court found this position inconsistent with earlier judicial instructions.
Judge Jamal Whitehead ruled that any refugee with confirmed travel plans and valid security and medical clearances prior to the suspension must be admitted without delay. He gave the administration seven days to resume processing and take all necessary actions to bring the affected refugees into the country.
The ruling underscores judicial oversight of executive decisions and affirms the legal obligations surrounding the U.S. refugee admissions program.