Judge blocks arrest and detention of some lawful refugees in Minnesota

"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 government's new policy breaks that promise without congressional authorization and raises serious constitutional concerns."

"The court said 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 give the Department of Homeland Security authority to detain refugees simply because more than one year has passed since their arrival."

"The Trump administration has argued that once a refugee reaches the 366th day after lawful admission, immigration authorities may arrest and detain them for days, weeks or even months. The court rejected that interpretation, finding that the statute provides no such detention power."

A federal judge blocked a Trump administration immigration policy that permitted authorities to arrest and detain refugees in Minnesota who had been lawfully admitted to the United States. The court determined the administration misinterpreted federal immigration law, finding no statutory authority for detaining refugees based solely on the passage of time since their arrival. The policy targeted individuals who had completed rigorous vetting procedures and been admitted through the US Refugee Admissions Program. The judge emphasized that the nation made a solemn commitment to welcome vetted refugees and provide them opportunity to rebuild their lives. The ruling rejected the administration's argument that refugees become detainable after 366 days of lawful admission, when they become eligible to apply for permanent resident status. The court found the policy raised serious constitutional concerns and violated the government's foundational promise to refugees.

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