Overview
- Judge Richard G. Stearns, who issued the order Monday, barred DHS from enforcing the policy during the Massachusetts lawsuit and noted the government did not oppose the request.
- Six refugees and two resettlement groups brought the case, and the judge wrote they face unlawful and unnecessary detention that would cause irreparable harm.
- The policy stems from a Feb. 18 memo from ICE and USCIS that told refugees to return to custody after one year without a green card and allowed agents to arrest those who did not comply.
- Refugees must apply for a green card after a year in the U.S., but a 2010 ICE guideline that discouraged detention for missed filings was scrapped in December.
- Texas, which has resettled more refugees than any other state, could have seen broad effects, with court filings saying about 100,000 refugees nationwide had not yet adjusted status.