The Trump administration has initiated a review of all refugees admitted to the United States during the Biden administration, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press. The review, which aims to re-examine the eligibility of nearly 200,000 refugees, is likely to cause confusion and fear among those who have already been vetted and settled in the country.
The memo, signed by Joseph Edlow, director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, claims that the Biden administration prioritized “expediency” and “quantity” over “detailed screening and vetting” in its refugee admission process. As a result, the administration plans to conduct a comprehensive review and re-interview all refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025. A list of individuals to be re-interviewed is expected to be compiled within three months.
Refugee advocates have criticized the move, stating that refugees are already subject to rigorous vetting and screening processes before being admitted to the United States. They argue that this review will not only be a waste of government resources but also cause undue trauma to individuals who have already undergone extensive vetting and are building new lives in the country.
The memo also suspends green card approvals for refugees who arrived during the specified time period. If the agency determines that an individual was ineligible for refugee status, they will not have the right to appeal, although they can plead their case in immigration court if removal proceedings are initiated. Even those who have already received their green cards will be subject to review.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for its handling of the refugee program, which was suspended earlier this year andlater limited to 7,500 mostly white South Africans, a historic low since the program’s inception in 1980. The administration has also increased immigration enforcement as part of its efforts to deport illegal immigrants. The Biden administration, on the other hand, admitted 185,640 refugees between October 2021 and September 2024, with the largest numbers coming from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Syria.
The review is the latest development in the ongoing debate over the refugee program, with advocates and critics alike weighing in on the issue. As the administration moves forward with its plans, it remains to be seen how the review will impact the lives of thousands of refugees who have already made the United States their home.