Federal Judge Rejects Journey Ban Use In opposition to Afghan Asylees’ Households

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2026

Contact: Timothy Young | timothy[dot]younger at globalrefuge[dot]org

WASHINGTON – A federal court docket ruled that the Trump administration can’t use its journey ban to dam the spouses and kids of Afghan asylees from becoming a member of their households within the United States. Global Refuge, one of many nation’s largest refugee and immigrant-serving organizations, welcomed the ruling as an overdue correction for allies who’ve waited years to be reunited with family members.

In A.A. v. State, Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the Eastern District of Virginia vacated the State Department’s coverage of making use of journey ban restrictions to relations of individuals already granted asylum — despite the fact that the proclamations, by their very own textual content, exempt asylees and people in search of asylum and refugee standing. The court docket ordered the federal government to problem journey paperwork to 5 relations inside 15 days, rethink two extra functions with out regard to the ban, and report again each two weeks till the households arrive.

“Afghans who supported the U.S. mission and won protection here have waited years to bring their spouses and children to safety,” mentioned Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. “This ruling made clear what the travel ban’s own text already said: its restrictions were never meant to reach asylees, or the family members our laws entitle them to bring to safety. Fortunately, the court saw this case for what it is: families who simply want to be whole again.”

For Global Refuge, which has resettled and supported 1000’s of Afghans for the reason that 2021 withdrawal, the choice underscores a promise nonetheless unkept. Nearly 5 years on, many Afghan allies who reached security stay separated from spouses, youngsters, and fogeys they had been compelled to go away behind. Global Refuge has repeatedly warned that this separation leaves susceptible relations in precarious situations, whereas these within the U.S. carry the fixed stress and nervousness of realizing their family members stay in danger.

Global Refuge reiterates that household reunification has lengthy served as an anchor of American refugee and asylum coverage — a recognition, throughout administrations of each events, that folks discover stability and contribute most totally when their households are protected and collectively.

“Family reunification is a promise this country has kept for generations, written into our laws precisely because no one should have to choose between their own safety and their children’s,” concluded Vignarajah. “This ruling keeps that promise for a handful of families, and we urge the administration to extend it to the many still waiting.”

Global Refuge urges the administration to maneuver rapidly to adjust to the court docket’s order and reunite the households on this case at once. We additionally name on Congress to behave rapidly and decisively to mandate a broad exemption beneath the journey ban for all at‑danger Afghans who’ve already been vetted and authorized for lawful entry, together with these awaiting resettlement by way of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and people eligible beneath the Special Immigrant Visa program. At a second when so many Afghan households stay in danger, the United States should honor its ethical duty to the allies and companions who stood beside us and guarantee they don’t seem to be left behind now.

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