On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled “REALIGNING THE UNITED STATES REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM,” marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. This move comes in response to what the administration describes as an overwhelming influx of migrants affecting various communities across America. The order directly addresses concerns over resource allocation, public safety, and the assimilation of refugees into U.S. society. Here is a direct quote from the executive order:
REALIGNING THE United States REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. Over the last 4 years, the United States has been inundated with record levels of migration, including through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Cities and small towns alike, from Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and Springfield, Ohio, to Whitewater, Wisconsin, have seen significant influxes of migrants. Even major urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Denver have sought Federal aid to manage the burden of new arrivals. Some jurisdictions, like New York and Massachusetts, have even recently declared states of emergency because of increased migration.
The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees. This order suspends the USRAP until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.
Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to ensure that public safety and national security are paramount considerations in the administration of the USRAP, and to admit only those refugees who can fully and appropriately assimilate into the United States and to ensure that the United States preserves taxpayer resources for its citizens. It is also the policy of the United States that, to the extent permitted by law and as practicable, State and local jurisdictions be granted a role in the process of determining the placement or settlement in their jurisdictions of aliens eligible to be admitted to the United States as refugees.
Sec. 3. Realignment of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. (a) I hereby proclaim, pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), that entry into the United States of refugees under the USRAP would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. I therefore direct that entry into the United States of refugees under the USRAP be suspended — subject to the exceptions set forth in subsection (c) of this section — until a finding is made in accordance with section 4 of this order. This suspension shall take effect at 12:01 am eastern standard time on January 27, 2025.
(b) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall suspend decisions on applications for refugee status, until a finding is made in accordance with section 4 of this order.
(c) Notwithstanding the suspension of the USRAP imposed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit aliens to the United States as refugees on a case-by-case basis, in their discretion, but only so long as they determine that the entry of such aliens as refugees is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States.
(d) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall examine existing law to determine the extent to which, consistent with applicable law, State and local jurisdictions may have greater involvement in the process of determining the placement or resettlement of refugees in their jurisdictions, and shall devise a proposal to lawfully promote such involvement. In all cases, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall ensure that the State and local consultation requirements in 8 U.S.C. 1522(a)(2) are carried out with respect to all refugees admitted to the United States.
Sec. 4. Resumption of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Within 90 days of this order, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit a report to the President through the Homeland Security Advisor regarding whether resumption of entry of refugees into the United States under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States, in light of the policies outlined in section 2 of this order. The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall submit further reports every 90 days thereafter until I determine that resumption of the USRAP is in the interests of the United States.
Sec. 5. Revocation. Executive Order 14013 of February 4, 2021 (Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration), is hereby revoked.
Sec. 6. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
Sec. 7. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025.
What It Means:
- Refugee Program Paused: The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been stopped. This means no new refugees can come to the U.S. under this program until further notice.
- Welcome Corps on Hold: The Welcome Corps, where Americans can sponsor refugees directly, isn’t accepting new sponsors or processing existing applications.
Implications:
- No New Refugees: Refugees who were supposed to travel to the U.S. won’t be able to come. This could mean people fleeing danger or persecution have to wait even longer for safety.
- Example: Imagine someone escaping conflict in their country; they might have to stay in a refugee camp longer than expected, facing ongoing risks.
- Community Support Stops: Communities and individuals who wanted to help refugees settle in by providing homes, jobs, and support are now on pause.
- Example: A group of friends who planned to help a refugee family move into their community, find schools for the kids, and jobs for the adults must stop their efforts.
- Backlog of Cases: With processing frozen, there’s likely to be a significant delay for all pending cases. This could lead to a backlog, making the wait for refugees even longer once the program resumes.
- Example: A Syrian family’s application for resettlement might be stuck in limbo, extending their uncertainty and instability.
- Case-by-Case Exceptions: There’s a small window for exceptions, but it’s restrictive, decided by high-level officials. This might help in urgent situations but doesn’t change the overall halt.
- Example: If there’s an emergency involving a particular refugee, like immediate danger, they might still get through, but it’s not guaranteed.
- No New Sponsors: People who wanted to become sponsors can’t start, and those in the middle of the process are left hanging.
- Example: Someone who gathered a group to sponsor a refugee might now have to wait indefinitely to proceed, potentially losing their motivation or resources.
- Support for Current Refugees: Refugees already here will continue to receive help, but no new support systems will start for incoming refugees.
- Example: A refugee who arrived last month will still get help finding a job, but no new refugees will benefit from this support.
Key Points to Remember:
- Existing Refugees Safe: Those already in the U.S. under the program are not affected by this suspension.
- Future Uncertain: The restart of the program is uncertain, leaving many in a state of limbo.
- Advocacy: If you’re involved or concerned, contacting your congressional representatives might offer some guidance or influence on policy decisions.
This suspension represents a significant shift in U.S. refugee policy, potentially affecting thousands of lives, both those waiting to enter the U.S. and the communities eager to help them start anew.
