Great Lakes Wire

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 19 other state attorneys general in challenging President Donald Trump's executive order that suspends the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program. The coalition filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against the Trump Administration's decision to withhold funding for refugee processing and services, arguing it violates federal law and harms both states and refugee communities.

The Refugee Act mandates a thorough vetting process for asylum seekers in the United States, including security screenings and resettlement assistance. Trump's executive order, titled "Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program," indefinitely halts refugee admissions and application processing. Attorney General Nessel contends this action contradicts existing federal statutes.

Refugees legally residing in the U.S. contribute significantly to the economy. In Michigan, refugees paid $217.9 million in taxes in 2022 and contributed $1.9 billion to the state's economy. Nationally, refugee households possess an estimated $83.1 billion in spending power.

The coalition claims that Trump's order unlawfully prevents entry of refugee family members, further separating families affected by conflict and persecution. It also argues that suspending federal funding for resettlement agencies undermines essential services aiding refugees' integration into their new communities.

Prominent refugees include Madeleine Albright, Gloria Estefan, and Albert Einstein. Michigan has welcomed numerous refugees over recent decades, including state Representative Mai Xiong from Laos, who became Macomb County's first Hmong-American elected official in 2020. In 2024 alone, Michigan accepted 4% of all refugees entering the U.S.

"This illegal executive order is antithetical to what our nation was founded on," said Nessel. "From Afghans who risked their lives helping our troops overseas to families fleeing floods, hurricanes, wars, and political violence, America has always been a refuge for those in need... This is not who we are as a nation."

The amicus brief supports a preliminary injunction request by impacted refugees and agencies serving them.

Alongside Nessel are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island Vermont Washington Wisconsin.