Judge Blocks Trump Refugee Custody Policy in Minnesota

A federal judge in Minneapolis on Friday extended protections for refugees legally residing in Minnesota, blocking a Trump administration policy that would require their return to federal custody after one year in the United States. The ruling by U.S. District Judge John Tunheim converts a temporary restraining order issued in January into a preliminary injunction, shielding thousands of refugees from potential arrest and deportation while their lawsuit proceeds.

The decision stems from a Department of Homeland Security memo issued on February 19, which reinterprets immigration law to mandate that refugees applying for permanent residency must report back to custody one year after admission for application reviews. Administration officials maintain this authority applies nationwide to refugees who entered legally but lack green cards, potentially affecting tens of thousands. During a hearing the following day, Justice Department attorney Brantley Mayers argued the government retains the right to make such arrests, though he noted they would not occur in every instance.

Judge Tunheim, in a 66-page opinion, rejected the policy as an unauthorized and flawed reading of the law. He...