Legal Action
Pacito v. Trump
Filed in: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Summary
A coalition of refugee-serving nonprofits and nine individuals filed a lawsuit against the Trump-Vance administration challenging Executive Order 14163, titled, “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.” The executive order suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), a longstanding pathway for those seeking refugee status in the U.S. The plaintiffs argue the order violates the Refugee Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Separation of Powers.
On Feb. 28, 2025, a district court entered an order granting a preliminary injunction in this case. An appeal ensued, culminating with the circuit court’s decision to affirm in parts and reverse in parts the lower court’s preliminary injunction.
Plaintiffs
- Lutheran Community Services Northwest
- HIAS
- Church World Service
- Plaintiff Pacito
- Plaintiff Esther
- Plaintiff Josephine
- Plaintiff Sara
- Plaintiff Alyas
- Plaintiff Marcos
- Plaintiff Ahmed
- Plaintiff Rachel
- Plaintiff Ali
Plaintiffs' Counsel
- Perkins Coie LLP
- International Refugee Assistance Project
Defendants
- President Donald J. Trump
- Secretary Marco Rubio
- Secretary Kristi Noem
- Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.