What’s New?
The Ninth Circuit issued a new order narrowing the refugees that the administration must resettle in the United States to individuals whose flights were cancelled following the January executive order - an estimated 10,000 people, including more than 1,600 Afghan allies (Pacito v. Trump).
For now, we will keep monitoring how the administration complies with the new order from the Ninth Circuit.
Separately, a report from the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security was due on April 20 on the resumption of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The report has not been released publicly.
What Else?
In the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland dad who was unlawfully removed to a notorious prison in El Salvador, more House members traveled to El Salvador to advocate for his release and to ensure the well-being of Andry José Hernández Romero. Hernández Romero was also among the individuals removed to El Salvador last month without due process. He came to the United States seeking safety and was in the middle of his asylum case.
Hernandez Romero's lawyer, Lindsay Toczylowski, told CBS:
"Our client, who was in the middle of seeking asylum, just disappeared. One day he was there, and the next day we're supposed to have court, and he wasn't brought to court.”
Legal challenges against the administration's efforts to remove additional individuals to El Salvador are being filed across different judicial districts. The courts have blocked the removal of people detained in the Southern District of New York, the District of Colorado, and the Southern District of Texas.
What’s Needed?
Three easy action items to ensure our communities remain committed to welcoming people seeking safety during this difficult time.
- Attend. Join LSSNCA on April 29 for a virtual Town Hall.
- Advocate. Use this click-to-email tool from RCUSA to urge Congress to support refugees and humanitarian protections.
- Donate. Support LSSNCA’s support for new neighbors.
What’s Happened? - A timeline of events since January 20, 2025.
