Judge Blocks Trump Rule Shortening Refugee Appeal Window

US District Judge Julia Kobick blocked a Trump administration rule on October 27 that would have significantly shortened the window for refugees to contest the termination of their legal status. The rule, issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services on October 14, sought to reduce the contestation period from 30 days to 10 days.

The order issued in Boston puts the rule on hold until November 6 to preserve the status quo while the court reviews the case. The US Department of Homeland Security estimated that the measure would have affected up to 186,000 refugees.

Refugee advocacy groups, represented by Democracy Forward, challenged the rule and a broader refugee review plan in a lawsuit filed on October 26. Democracy Forward stated that the court's decision "provides meaningful protection for people who were already facing termination notices."