Trump Administration Refugee Policy

Judge John Tunheim converted his January temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction protecting lawfully admitted refugees in Minnesota from enforcement of DHS’s Feb. 18 memo, which interprets the law to require refugees to return to federal custody one year after admission for green‑card review — a policy the court called erroneous and that could affect tens of thousands nationwide. Tunheim’s 66‑page opinion details alleged abuses, including a Minnesota refugee “D. Doe” who was reportedly lured, flown to Texas, shackled and detained for 16 hours, while the Justice Department defended the government’s authority to arrest after one year and DHS/USCIS called the ruling “lawless,” drawing praise from advocates who say refugees can now live without fear.