How the Trump administration is affecting the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

During President Donald Trump’s first week of his second term, he signed an executive order that paused the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Later, the White House froze all federal funding that goes to organizations who welcome and support refugees coming into the U.S.  

But last week, a federal judge in Seattle blocked Trump’s efforts to suspend the system for resettling refugees. The judge ruled that while the president has broad authority over who comes into the country, he cannot cancel the law Congress passed to establish the program. 

However, the Justice Department said it would consider a quick appeal, saying Trump’s actions are well within his authority. 

MPR News host Angela Davis and her guests talk about the federal refugee program and how the Trump administration directives are affecting refugee resettlement efforts in Minnesota.

Guests:

• Micaela Schuneman is the senior director of immigration and refugee services for the International Institute of Minnesota — a social service agency that offers refugee, immigration and citizenship services.
• Eric Schwartz is a professor and chair of the global policy area and former dean of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He is the former president of Refugees International. And as Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration during President Obama’s administration, he was responsible for the U.S. refugee resettlement program.