Trump orders sweeping review of Biden-era refugee admissions
“A USCIS memo orders re-interviews and vetting of about 200,000 refugees admitted under Biden and pauses their green-card processing.”
Key points
- A USCIS memo orders re-interviews and vetting of about 200,000 refugees admitted under Biden and pauses their green-card processing.
- The Trump administration frames the review as a security measure.
The Trump administration has directed a broad vetting review of refugees admitted to the United States under former President Joe Biden, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
The order applies to roughly 200,000 people who entered between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025, and temporarily halts processing of their permanent-residence applications while the review is conducted. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services memo, signed by Director Joe Edlow, says officials will re-interview and reassess refugee cases and may terminate status where criteria are not met.
USCIS did not immediately comment. Since taking office, President Trump has imposed stricter policies on both legal and irregular migration, marking a stark reversal from the Biden administration’s approach, which admitted more than 100,000 refugees in fiscal 2024, Reuters reported.
The memo argues that earlier admissions may have emphasised speed over rigorous screening, and says comprehensive re-checks are warranted.
Corrections & clarifications
Spot an inaccuracy or need more detail? Email connect@newsnexus24.com. Significant updates are timestamped above.
