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Original Date Announced
March 25, 2025CBS News reports that USCIS recently directed officials to suspend the processing of green card applications filed by immigrants granted refugee or asylum status.
In a statement, DHS stated that "USCIS is placing a temporary pause on finalizing certain Adjustment of Status applications pending the completion of additional screening and vetting to identify potential fraud, public safety, or national security concerns.” DHS explained that the pause is needed to comply with EO 14161 (“Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”) and EO 14157 (“Designating Cartels and Other Organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists”).
Trump 2.0 [ID #1644]
2025.03.25 USCIS pauses green card processing for refugees and asylees - CBSSubsequent Trump and Court Action
July 15, 20252025.03.21AOS Pause Directive Email
Documents produced through the International Refugee Assistance Project's (IRAP) FOIA requests and a related lawsuit against USCIS confirm that between March 21, 2025 and April 10, 2025, USCIS issued a blanket pause on the adjudication of all refugee and asylee green card applications.
In one of the emails produced, the government cited the need for "additional screening and vetting to identify potential fraud, public safety, or national security concerns" and recent executive orders related to terrorism as the rationale behind the pause. IRAP reports that although USCIS has lifted the pause, certain refugee and asylee green card applicants continue to face delays in adjudication.
View DocumentCurrent Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Trump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: USCISAssociated or Derivative Policies
- January 20, 2025 EO 14157: "Designating Cartels and Other Organizations As Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists"
- January 20, 2025 EO 14161 §§ 2(a) and 3(a) direct maximum vetting of all noncitizens seeking admission to U.S. and those in the U.S.
- January 20, 2025 EO 14161: "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats"
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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