Refugee Program Battle: NY AG Leads Legal Assault Against Trump’s Ban

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 19 other attorneys general are fighting tooth and nail to safeguard the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) from an unlawful attempt to dismantle it by the Trump administration.

In the high-stakes legal battle, Pacito v. Trump, the coalition is urging the Ninth Circuit to uphold a lower court’s decision that blocked the president’s executive order aimed at indefinitely halting refugee admissions and ending federal support for resettlement agencies.

‘Our country was founded by people fleeing persecution or in search of a better life,’ James declared. ‘This administration is trying to shut that door, abandoning our values and risking countless lives.’

The executive order, issued on Inauguration Day, sought to terminate all refugee admissions and federal aid for organizations aiding refugees with basic needs. But the AGs argue that this move conflates asylum seekers with refugees, a distinction crucial to understanding the legal basis of the ban.

‘Refugees admitted through USRAP are their own distinct category, vetted rigorously and fully integrated into communities,’ James emphasized. ‘The administration’s claim that these refugees harm the nation is unfounded; they are a benefit, contributing billions in tax revenue and filling essential roles in our workforce.’

The coalition also highlights the tangible benefits of refugee resettlement for cities like Utica, New York, which have seen population growth and economic stimulus. They argue that the administration’s abrupt actions have caused immense hardship to refugees already in the U.S., cutting off essential services and support.