Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power
First-Term Refugee Cuts and Executive Order 13888: Record-Low Ceilings and a State and Local Veto Courts Held Likely Unlawful
The first Trump administration cut refugee admissions to the lowest ceilings since the 1980 Refugee Act, and by executive order let states and localities veto refugee resettlement. Two federal courts held the veto likely unlawful under the Refugee Act and blocked it. The ceilings themselves were a lawful use of presidential discretion.