The Trump administration has taken a new approach regarding refugees, specifically those who entered the U.S. under President Biden. An internal memo reveals plans to reinterview some refugees to review their cases.
This move is part of a broader immigration policy that has raised concerns. Refugees are among the most vulnerable groups, having escaped persecution at home. They undergo extensive vetting before arriving in the U.S., a process that can take years.
Historically, the refugee admissions program has enjoyed bipartisan support. However, Trump officials have criticized its effectiveness, suggesting that previous vetting wasn’t thorough enough. Since then, refugee admissions have dropped significantly, except in special cases, like for White South Africans.
According to the memo, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will oversee the review process. This includes reinterviewing refugees to confirm they don’t pose a national security threat. From 2021 to 2025, about 235,000 refugees entered the country under this program.
The U.S. used to lead the world in refugee admissions, welcoming millions since the Refugee Act of 1980. However, during Trump’s first term and the pandemic, admissions were severely limited. Biden aimed to restore the program, setting an annual limit of 125,000 refugees.
Experts in the refugee field are deeply concerned. Mark Hetfield, president of HIAS, calls this reinterview process “unspeakably cruel,” emphasizing it risks re-traumatizing already vulnerable individuals. Jeremy Konyndyk, president of Refugees International, notes that refugees are some of the most thoroughly vetted individuals coming to the U.S. They undergo rigorous background checks and security screenings.
Critics argue that this move is an attempt to strip protections from those who genuinely need it, while focusing on resettling groups like the White South Africans, who do not meet traditional refugee criteria. The potential for revoking refugee status raises alarms, as this could happen without an appeal process.
There’s also a hold on pending applications for refugees seeking to adjust their status, increasing uncertainty for many. Under U.S. law, refugees must apply for permanent status a year after entering the country.
During a recent event at the UN General Assembly, Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau stated that the current asylum system is outdated and prone to misuse, calling for a reevaluation of refugee frameworks. His comments reflect a growing sentiment among officials focused on immigration reform.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges in U.S. immigration policy and the treatment of refugees. As the landscape evolves, many continue to watch how these decisions will impact some of the world’s most vulnerable individuals.
For more insights on U.S. refugee policies and statistics, you can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
