President Donald Trump on Monday evening signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for at least 90 days, citing national security concerns and the need to align refugee admissions with American interests.
The order, which takes effect on January 27, 2025, has already sparked criticism from humanitarian organizations and immigrant rights advocates.
In a statement, the White House said the program’s resumption would depend on ensuring that refugee admissions “align with the interests of the United States.”
According to the order, cities and towns across the country, including Charleroi, Pennsylvania; Springfield, Ohio; and Whitewater, Wisconsin, have faced significant challenges from increased arrivals, with larger urban centers like New York City and Chicago declaring states of emergency.
“The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants and refugees into its communities in a manner that does not compromise resources, safety, and security,” the order stated.
The policy seeks to prioritize public safety and national security while ensuring that only refugees who can “fully and appropriately assimilate” are admitted. It also proposes increased involvement of state and local jurisdictions in determining refugee placements.
According to a report from Reuters, the suspension has already impacted Afghan refugees. Flights scheduled to carry nearly 1,660 Afghan nationals to the United States have been canceled. This group includes unaccompanied minors and individuals who assisted the former Afghan government and now face threats from the Taliban.
Shawn VanDiver, head of a coalition of U.S. veterans and refugee advocates, told Reuters that the suspension could disrupt all refugee flights over the next four months.
“As soon as the executive order takes effect, all refugees will be removed from flight manifests,” he said.
Many applicants for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and Priority 1 and Priority 2 refugee programs have expressed fears for their safety, describing the suspension as a “serious threat” to their lives.
Since the U.S. and NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, more than 180,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States. However, thousands remain in limbo, either in Afghanistan or in third countries like Pakistan, Albania, Qatar, Rwanda, and Germany, awaiting relocation.
Human rights organizations and advocacy groups have condemned the decision, arguing that the suspension endangers vulnerable populations, particularly Afghan refugees. They have urged the Trump administration to reconsider the policy, warning of its potentially life-threatening consequences.
“This policy, while aimed at reassessing the refugee program, risks leaving countless refugees, especially those at high risk like Afghan nationals, in grave danger,” said a spokesperson for a leading refugee advocacy organization.
The executive order calls for a review of the program over the next three months, with periodic reports from the Department of Homeland Security to determine whether resuming refugee admissions would align with U.S. interests.
While the administration defends the decision as necessary for national security, critics argue that the suspension could exacerbate the hardships faced by refugees already grappling with uncertain futures.
