Trump Stops Green Card Approvals for 235,000 Refugees, Orders New Interviews

Trump Stops Green Card Approvals for 235,000 Refugees, Orders New Interviews

The Trump administration has paused green card approvals for more than 235,000 refugees who entered the U.S. during President Joe Biden’s term.

The government is now requiring all of them to go through new security reviews and fresh interviews. The decision, explained in a memo from USCIS Director Joseph Edlow on November 21, freezes all pending green card applications and could disrupt the lives of thousands of families who already went through years of checks.

The policy covers refugees who arrived between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025. Director Edlow criticized the Biden administration for focusing on speed instead of thorough screening, saying important security steps were missed. USCIS must now create a priority list of refugees to re-interview within 90 days. If someone’s status is denied after the review, there will be no option to appeal.

Who Is Most Affected?

This move mainly impacts refugees from places like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, and Myanmar. These families already completed long vetting processes overseas before being allowed into the U.S. Many are now working, going to school, or raising children in states such as Texas, California, and New York. People who already received green cards during this period may also be checked again, putting some at risk of losing protection from deportation.

Human rights groups strongly oppose the policy. They argue it creates fear and instability for families who have already been thoroughly vetted. Trump, however, says the new review is needed for national security.

Lawsuits are expected, and until then, affected refugees remain in uncertainty, unsure of what will happen to their future in America.