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Original Date Announced
January 20, 2025President Trump signed EO 14163: "Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program" directing "that entry into the United States of refugees under the USRAP be suspended" effective January 27, 2025. The order further instructs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit a report within 90 days and every 90 days thereafter advising the president "whether resumption of entry of refugees into the United States under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States." While suspended, the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security may jointly determine to admit noncitizens as refugees on a case-by-case basis, provided that such entries are deemed in the national interest and pose no threat to U.S. security or welfare.
The EO further directs DHS and DOJ to examine the legal authorities to provide States and localities a role in determining whether refugees will be placed or settled in their jurisdictions.
You are viewing the general entry for this Executive Order. For discrete policies within the EO and subsequent actions related to them, see the "Associated and Derivative Policies" linked on this page.
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2025.01.20 EO 14163: "Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program"Effective Date
January 27, 2025Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)
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January 22, 2025
CNN: Flights canceled for refugees who were slated to travel to the US
CNN reports that days before the effective date for the refugee-admissions suspension described in this policy entry, DOS sent a memo to resettlement partners halting flights for refugees who were slated to travel to the U.S. The memo reportedly states: "All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made. RSCs should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time."
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February 7, 2025
2025.02.07 - DOS: Update on I-730 Following-to-Join Refugee Processing at the Department of State
DOS announces an "Update on I-730 Following-to-Join Refugee Processing at the Department of State." In response to EO 14163, the government has suspended the processing of all refugee applications under USRAP. This includes following-to-join refugee (FTJ-R) travel eligibility determinations conducted at U.S. embassies and consulates. The DOS directs "FTJ-R beneficiaries whose cases are already at a U.S. embassy or consulate to contact that embassy or consulate directly" to inquire about interview status and to retrieve their passports. FTJ-R beneficiaries whose cases are at the National Visa Center (NVC) should contact NVC using the Public Inquiry Form. FTJ-R beneficiaries "in possession of unexpired boarding foils" should direct any travel questions to CBP.
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February 10, 2025
2025.02.10 Pacito et al. v. Trump, 2:25-cv-255 (W.D. Wash.) - Complaint
On February 10, 2025, a lawsuit challenging President Trump's move to indefinitely pause the US refugee program and his administration's suspension of State Department and HHS funds to organizations providing overseas refugee admission assistance and domestic reception and placement for newly arrived refugees was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. Pacito et al. v. Trump et al., 2:25-cv-00255, (W.D. Wash.).
**Litigation entries are limited to initial complaints and major substantive rulings. For pleadings and additional information, use name and docket number to search Civil Rights Clearinghouse and CourtListener or visit Just Security Litigation Tracker**
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Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/Actual In LitigationTrump Administration Action: Presidential OrdersSubject Matter: Refugees HumanitarianAgencies Affected: DHS DOS Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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