The administration of US President Donald Trump has initiated a sweeping review of refugees who entered the country during President Joe Biden’s term, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters.
The directive targets an estimated 200,000 refugees who arrived in the United States between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025. The memo, signed by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joe Edlow, also instructs officials to pause the processing of permanent residency applications for these individuals.
USCIS has not yet issued a public statement regarding the memo.
Trump Reverses Biden’s Refugee-Friendly Policies
Trump’s move marks another chapter in his broader crackdown on both legal and illegal immigration. Upon returning to office in January, he froze refugee admissions worldwide—an abrupt shift from Biden’s approach, which welcomed more than 100,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024.
The memo suggests that the Biden administration may have focused on faster admissions and higher intake numbers rather than thorough interviews and strict vetting.
Plan to Re-Interview and Reassess Refugee Status
According to the memo dated November 21, USCIS will review and re-interview all refugees who entered during the Biden administration. If any are found not to meet official refugee criteria, their status can be terminated.
The document also notes that, when necessary, USCIS may expand re-interviews to include refugees admitted outside the targeted timeframe.
The order marks one of the most significant refugee policy shifts in recent years and is likely to impact thousands of families already living in the United States.
