By Ted Hesson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A coalition of U.S. refugee backers filed a lawsuit on Monday that challenges President Donald Trump’s indefinite suspension of the U.S. resettlement program, saying refugees and their families face irreparable harm if it is allowed to remain in effect.

The legal challenge, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington State, argues that Trump exceeded his executive authority by abruptly shutting down the program and freezing funding to aid refugees already in the United States.

The lawsuit cites the possibility of serious harm to refugees and calls on the court to “restore the important and historic American tradition of protecting and aiding people fleeing persecution.” 

Trump, a Republican, immediately paused refugee resettlement after taking office on January 20, saying the program must ensure that refugees admitted to the U.S. “appropriately assimilate” and that taxpayer resources are not wasted.

He called for the secretaries of Homeland Security and State to submit a report within 90 days to determine if it should be restarted.

The sudden shutdown meant refugees across the globe had their scheduled travel to the U.S. canceled, including 1,660 Afghans cleared to resettle. Days later, funds for U.S. groups that assist refugees already in the country were frozen as part of a larger pause on foreign aid. 

The lawsuit was brought by nine refugees and U.S.-based family members, including a family from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who were approved to travel to the U.S. on January 22 but had their travel canceled. The family, which resides in Nairobi, sold all of their belongings except for what could fit in their checked luggage and gave up their lease on their home, the complaint said.

The refugees were joined in the lawsuit by three pro-refugee organizations: HIAS, Church World Service, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Mary Milliken and Marguerita Choy)

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