NEWS GLEAMS | Judge in Seattle Blocks Executive Order Halting Refugee Resettlement; King County Metro Resumes Bus Fare Enforcement

On Tuesday, Seattle-based U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead issued a preliminary injunction that blocks Executive Order "Realigning the United States Refugee Admission Program" which was signed by President Donald Trump the day he took office. The executive order put an indefinite pause on refugee resettlement "until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States." Later that week, funds for refugee resettlement were frozen.

Whitehead ruled that Trump's actions have "crossed the line from permissible discretionary action to effective nullification of congressional will." He noted that presidents have "substantial discretion" to suspend refugee admissions, but their "authority is not limitless."

The United States created its current process for refugee resettlement through the congressional passage of the Refugee Act of 1980, which was an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962. Between 1975 and 2024, more than 3.7 million refugees have been legally admitted into the U.S. as they flee their home countries in an attempt to escape conflict, natural disaster, persecution, and war.

The Refugee Act of 1980 requires annual consultation between Congress and the president on refugee admissions, and all admissions must be reported to Congress.

"I cannot ignore Congress' detailed framework for refugee admissions and the limits it placed on the president's ability to suspend the same," Whitehead continued. "Our system of separated powers demands no less."

A number of local and national groups banded together to challenge the Trump administration's pause on refugee resettlement, including the International Refugee Assistance Project on behalf of Church World Service, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, as well as individual refugees and family members. The groups said that the executive order and subsequent pause on funding restricted organizational capacity and ability to provide services to refugees, including those that had already arrived in the U.S.

Attorney August Flentje of the U.S. Justice Department has said that the Department of Justice will likely consider filing an emergency appeal.

In 2017, the first Trump administration also attempted to halt refugee resettlement to the U.S., and a Seattle-based judge similarly granted a temporary restraining order that stopped the attempt. The administration's blanket refugee ban ultimately did not succeed, though they were able to ultimately instate the "Muslim ban," which limited refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries. During his first term, the number of refugees admitted to the United States hit an all-time low of 15,000.

After five years during which King County Metro stopped enforcing bus fares, the practice will resume starting March 31. For two months, Metro will ask riders for proof of fare payment, then issue verbal reminders to those who have not paid.

Beginning May 31, they will offer written warnings for first- and second-time offenders who have not paid their fare. The third time — and all subsequent times — a rider does not pay, they may receive a fine or alternative resolution option if they do not have adequate finances to pay.

The possible options include: paying a fine of $20 within 30 days or $40 within 90 days; loading $20 onto an ORCA card or $10 onto a reduced fare program card, if eligible; enrolling in a reduced fare program, if eligible; performing two hours of community service; appealing to a Fare Adjudication Program Manager, or requesting a customized resolution.

Youth will not be required to pay, and will instead be invited to enroll in Metro's Free Youth Transit Pass.

Several reduced fare options are also available. Individuals with disabilities and seniors can receive $1 fares through the Regional Reduced Fare Permit (RRFP) card. Individuals with lower incomes can receive $1 fares through the ORCA LIFT card, while those with the lowest incomes may potentially qualify for free rides through subsidized annual passes.

Fare enforcement was first paused in 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Metro currently estimates that 34% of riders do not pay their fares. Metro has stated that the reinforcement of bus fares has less to do with finances or safety and more to do with general perceptions of "fairness" on the part of other riders.

The change will come just as the King County Council passed a resolution yesterday, which will establish a new task force to address transit safety issues following the murder of transit operator Shawn Yim. The legislation was suggested and supported by the leadership of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587.

Starting Monday, Feb. 24, the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission began to issue Democracy Vouchers to eligible Seattle residents by mail. Eligible residents will receive four $25 Democracy Vouchers, which they can use as funds that will support City of Seattle candidates during the upcoming 2025 election.

Positions that are eligible to receive funding through Democracy Vouchers include the mayor, city attorney, and City Council positions 2, 8, and 9. May 23 is the final day that candidates can enter the program.

Primary elections will take place on Aug. 5, and general elections will be held on Nov. 4.

A full list of participating candidates can be found on the City of Seattle's website. Democracy Vouchers should only be assigned to eligible candidates.

Those who are interested in online vouchers rather than paper vouchers can visit Portal, the Democracy Voucher Program's online platform. Anyone who misplaces their vouchers can also obtain replacements via the DVP website, by phone, or by email.

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