A federal judge issued an injunction Tuesday halting President Trump’s attempt to pause refugee admissions.

Judge Jamal N. Whitehead, based in Seattle, said that while Mr. Trump has significant immigration powers, “that authority is not limitless.”

“I cannot ignore Congress’s detailed framework for refugee admissions and the limits it places on the president’s ability to suspend the same,” the judge said in the courtroom, according to Reuters.

In a brief written order the court blocked the key parts of Mr. Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order imposing the refugee pause.

Mr. Trump had justified his move by saying the U.S. had become overwhelmed by the crush of migrants over the last four years, and was struggling to assimilate them.

“This order suspends the [U.S. Refugee Admissions Program] until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States,” Mr. Trump wrote.

A coalition of refugees and resettlement groups challenged the executive order, saying it led to “chaos” for all involved.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.