Judge Blocks Part of Trump's Travel Ban, Orders Resumption of Refugee Processing.

A US judge has partially struck down President Trump's travel ban, ruling that it cannot be used to deny entry to refugees who have already been vetted. The ban, which targets citizens of 12 countries, will remain in place, but refugees from Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia will be allowed to enter the US. The ruling also orders the resumption of processing for 1,600 Afghan refugees who cooperated with the US military during the war.

A U.S. District Court Judge has ruled that President Trump's travel ban cannot be used to deny entry to refugees who have already been vetted. The decision, made by Judge Jamal Whitehead, partially strikes down the ban, which targets citizens of 12 countries. The ruling allows refugees from Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia to enter the United States, while the broader ban remains in place.

The judge's decision orders the White House to resume processing for 1,600 Afghan refugees who cooperated with the U.S. military during the war. The ruling also affects Haitian and Somali refugees who had their status revoked due to the ban.

The travel ban, which was reinstated in June, had sparked widespread criticism for its apparent targeting of Muslim travelers and its antagonistic framing of people from these countries. The ruling comes as a significant setback for the Trump administration's immigration policies.

The decision follows a series of legal challenges against the ban, with opponents arguing that it violates the separation of powers and discriminates against refugees based on their country of origin. The judge's ruling is a victory for refugee advocates and resettlement organizations, who have long fought against the ban.

The ruling will have implications for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and could lead to an increase in the number of refugees allowed into the country. However, the broader travel ban remains in place, and the Trump administration has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the judge's decision.

References:
[1] https://missouriindependent.com/2025/07/15/refugees-from-travel-ban-countries-must-be-allowed-to-enter-us-seattle-judge-rules/
[2] https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/07/14/refugees-from-travel-ban-countries-must-be-allowed-to-enter-us-seattle-judge-rules/
[3] https://www.thestreet.com/travel/trump-travel-ban-affects-refugees