The Trump administration has initiated plans to undertake a detailed examination of all refugees admitted to the United States during the Biden administration. This decision, as outlined in a memo obtained by The Associated Press, signals a notable policy transition that may impact the refugee program, historically designed to offer protection to individuals escaping conflict and persecution.

The review process is projected to create uncertainty for approximately 200,000 refugees who entered the U.S. between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025. Legal opposition from advocacy organizations is expected, as many perceive this measure as part of an inhumane approach toward individuals attempting to resettle in the U.S.

The memorandum, authored by Joseph Edlow, the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), claims that the Biden administration prioritized “expediency” and “quantity” over meticulous “detailed screening and vetting.” Consequently, the memo mandates a thorough review and re-interview of all refugees admitted during the specified timeframe. A listing of individuals required for re-interview is projected to be prepared within three months.

Supporters of the refugee program assert that refugees undergo one of the most rigorous vetting processes prior to their admission into the United States, often facing extensive scrutiny that can last several years. Additionally, the memo enforces an immediate halt to green card approvals for refugees who arrived during the defined period.

If an individual is found to have been ineligible for refugee status, the memo indicates that they “have no right to appeal.” However, should they enter removal proceedings, they may present their case in immigration court. Furthermore, the memo specifies that even those who have previously obtained green cards are subject to review.

Edlow asserts that “USCIS is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.”

Refugees are mandated to apply for a green card one year post-arrival, with the eligibility to apply for citizenship typically five years thereafter. The recent policy actions are part of a larger trend targeting the refugee program, which previously faced suspension, ultimately limiting admissions to 7,500, primarily from white South Africans,a historically low figure since the program's initiation in 1980. The Trump administration has also increased immigration enforcement as part of its strategy to enhance deportations of undocumented immigrants.

During the Biden administration, approximately 185,640 refugees were admitted from October 2021 through September 2024, with over 100,000 admitted in the last year alone. The majority of these refugees originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Syria.

Advocates for refugee rights have criticized the review process, arguing that it may exacerbate the trauma experienced by individuals who have already undergone thorough vetting to reach the U.S. Naomi Steinberg, vice president of U.S. policy and advocacy at HIAS, a refugee resettlement agency, remarked on the plan's poor conception, characterizing it as a severe misstep in the administration's treatment of individuals building new lives in the U.S.

USCIS aims to establish a priority list for re-interviews within 90 days, as outlined in Edlow's memo. The language employed indicates a comprehensive reassessment of the justifications for granting refugee status.

Edlow also mentioned that “testimony will include, but is not limited to, the circumstances establishing past persecution or a well-founded fear for principal refugees, the persecutor bar, and any other potential inadmissibilities.”

Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project, has criticized the administration's actions, emphasizing that refugees are among the most thoroughly vetted immigrants in the United States. He highlighted both the significant cruelty of the initiative and the potential misallocation of governmental resources required to review and re-interview 200,000 individuals who have been peacefully integrating into U.S. communities for several years.