Summary
A government memo has paused green card applications for refugees admitted to the U.S. from January 20, 2021, to February 20, 2025. This affects those who came under the Biden administration, as President Trump’s administration reviews the admissions process and refugee vetting. Concerns have been raised that previous vetting may not have been thorough enough.
Key Facts
- Green card applications for certain refugees have been halted following a government memo.
- Refugees admitted under the Biden administration from January 2021 to February 2025 are affected.
- The Trump administration is conducting a review of about 233,000 refugees from this period.
- The review checks if earlier refugee admissions prioritized speed over security checks.
- Refugees deemed incorrectly admitted might lose their refugee status.
- Refugees cannot appeal the decision but can present their case in court if in removal proceedings.
- Refugee admissions have decreased under Trump, except for specific groups like white South Africans.
- The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stressed that refugee status is a privilege tied to strict compliance with U.S. laws and values.
