Victory! Ninth Circuit Upholds
Refugee Freeze

IRLI—now part of FAIR—showed Trump can bar entry

WASHINGTON—Friday evening, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated an injunction a lower court had issued against President Trump’s proclamation barring the entry of all refugees into the United States. The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI), which has since joined the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), had filed a brief ([link removed]) in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals urging that result.

In its brief, IRLI had shown that Congress, in a statute, has given the President the power to suspend the entry of any class of aliens, or all aliens, if he thinks doing so is in the national interest. And when President Trump, in his first term, issued his travel order barring entry from countries with unreliable procedures for identifying terrorists, the Supreme Court recognized his broad, virtually unreviewable authority to act as he saw fit under this statute.

Refugees are, of course, a class of aliens. And, since many of them turn out to be criminals or terrorist threats, Trump’s view that barring their entry is in the national interest is certainly rational—with rationality being the most that a reviewing court can demand, according to the Supreme Court.

On Friday, the Ninth Circuit agreed, upholding the President’s proclamation under the broad terms of this statute.

“We don’t have to take any refugees, and whether we do so is a matter of policy, not law,” said Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of FAIR. “The law lets Trump block their entry if he sees fit. We are pleased the court saw that the President’s proclamation was 100% legal, and reversed the district court.”

The case is Pacito v. Trump, Nos. 25-1313, 25-1939 (Ninth Circuit).

ABOUT FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR ([link removed]) is the country’s largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

To schedule an interview with one of FAIR's
spokespersons, contact:

Hayley Hill

[email protected]
Learn More About FAIR ([link removed])

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

View this email in your browser ([link removed])

Copyright (C) 2025 Federation for American Immigration Reform. All rights reserved.
Federation for American Immigration Reform
25 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 330
Washington, DC 20001-1430
USA

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])