Trump administration orders review of Biden-era refugees, shows memo
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Migrants walking past partially empty tents at the shelter where they are staying as they wait to cross into the US, in Tijuana, Mexico.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump’s administration has ordered a broad vetting review of all refugees who entered under former president Joe Biden, an internal US government memo seen by Reuters said.
The order would apply to roughly 200,000 refugees who entered between Jan 20, 2021, and Feb 20, 2025, according to the memo signed by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) director Joe Edlow. It also ordered a halt to all processing of applications for permanent residence for the refugees who entered under Mr Biden.
USCIS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr Trump, a Republican, froze refugee admissions into the US
Mr Trump’s hardline approach was a sharp reversal of the more liberal policies of his Democratic predecessor, Mr Biden, whose administration welcomed more than 100,000 refugees in fiscal 2024.
The USCIS memo, dated Nov 21, said the agency will terminate the refugee status of people already in the US if they are found to not meet refugee criteria. The memo claimed that the Biden administration potentially prioritised expediency, quantity and admissions over quality interviews and detailed screening and vetting.
“Given these concerns, USCIS has determined that a comprehensive review and a re-interview of all refugees admitted from Jan 20, 2021, to Feb 20, 2025, is warranted,” the memo stated.
“When appropriate, USCIS will also review and re-interview refugees admitted outside this timeframe.” REUTERS
