Washington [US], February 11: Refugees, their families and refugee advocacy groups have filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump for ending the resettlement program for this group of people.
Reuters reported on February 11 that a coalition of refugee advocates in the United States has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's order to indefinitely suspend the resettlement program in the country.
The lawsuit claims that refugees and their families will suffer irreparable harm if the order remains in effect. The lawsuit, filed in Washington state, argues that Mr. Trump exceeded his executive authority by abruptly ending the program and freezing financial support for refugees already in the US.
The lawsuit cites the potential for serious harm to refugees and calls on the court to "restore America's important and historic tradition of protecting and assisting" refugees.
Mr Trump immediately halted the refugee resettlement program after taking office on January 20, saying the program must ensure that refugees admitted to the US are "appropriately integrated" and that taxpayer resources are not wasted.
He called on the heads of the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to submit a report within 90 days to determine whether to restart the program.
The abrupt shutdown saw refugees around the world cancel their planned trips to the U.S., including 1,660 Afghans who were set to resettle. Days later, funds for American groups supporting refugees already in the country were frozen.
The lawsuit was filed by nine refugees and their family members, including a family from the Democratic Republic of Congo who were approved to travel to the United States on Jan. 22 but whose trip was canceled. The family, who is currently residing in Nairobi, has sold all of their belongings except what can fit in their checked luggage and has terminated their lease, according to the lawsuit.
Three U.S. refugee advocacy organizations also joined the lawsuit. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
