Federal Judge Halts Trump Administration's Refugee Arrest Policy in Minnesota
A federal judge has issued a decisive order blocking a controversial Trump administration policy that allowed immigration authorities to arrest and detain certain lawful refugees residing in Minnesota. The ruling, delivered on Friday, determined that the government relied on an incorrect interpretation of federal law and unlawfully targeted individuals who had already been legally admitted to the United States.
Judge Condemns Policy as "Terrorizing" Refugees
In a strongly worded opinion, the court stated that the administration's approach had effectively been "terrorizing" refugees by subjecting them to arrest and potentially indefinite detention, despite their lawful status. The judge concluded that federal immigration law does not grant the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to detain refugees simply because more than one year has passed since their arrival in the country.
"Decades ago, as a nation, we made a solemn promise to refugees fleeing persecution: that after rigorous vetting, they would be welcomed to the United States and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives," the opinion declared. "The Government's new policy breaks that promise – without congressional authorization – and raises serious constitutional concerns."
The opinion added, "The new policy turns the refugees' American Dream into a dystopian nightmare."
Legal Dispute Over Statute Interpretation
The dispute centers on the administration's interpretation of a statute governing the process by which refugees can obtain lawful permanent resident status. The Trump administration argued that once a refugee reaches the 366th day after lawful admission—the point at which they become eligible to apply for a green card—immigration authorities may arrest and detain them for days, weeks, or even months.
The court firmly rejected that interpretation, finding that the statute provides no such detention power. This ruling stems from a legal challenge brought by several refugees living in Minnesota who were admitted through the US Refugee Admissions Program after completing extensive vetting procedures.
Plaintiffs and Injunction Details
The plaintiffs, originally from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, had not yet received lawful permanent resident status but had not been charged with removability, declared public safety risks, or identified as flight risks. Under the injunction, federal authorities are now barred from arresting or detaining refugees in Minnesota solely because they have not yet obtained lawful permanent resident status after one year in the US.
The preliminary relief applies to a proposed class defined as refugees residing in Minnesota who lack permanent resident status and have not been charged with any grounds for removal under immigration law. This decision marks a significant victory for refugee rights and underscores ongoing legal battles over immigration policies in the United States.
