
By Daniel Torok
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday the cancellation of travel arrangements for thousands of refugees who had received approval to resettle in the United States. This action is a direct result of President Donald Trump’s executive order that halts refugee admissions, highlighting the immediate and extensive consequences of this policy. Approximately 10,000 refugees, who had already undergone a rigorous and lengthy vetting process, now find themselves in a state of uncertainty following the cancellation of their scheduled flights.
A memo from the State Department, as reported by CNN, indicated, “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.”
The transition has posed considerable difficulties for individuals whose medical examinations or security clearances are approaching expiration, possibly necessitating a complete reinitiation of the extensive procedures involved.
Approximately 10,000 refugees had their travel arrangements canceled, as reported by a source with knowledge of the situation. This cancellation may pose significant challenges for refugees whose medical examinations or security checks are nearing expiration.
Furthermore, the memorandum indicates that all case processing has been suspended, effectively bringing the program to a standstill. It also specifies that all refugee case processing and pre-departure activities are to be halted, thereby ceasing the US refugee resettlement program. “Moreover, RSCs and IOM are instructed not to transfer refugees to transit centers in anticipation of travel and to cease all pre-departure activities for refugee cases. No new referrals should be submitted to the USRAP,” the memo stated.
Exceptions have been granted for holders of Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), including individuals who were employed by the United States overseas, permitting them to travel. Additionally, refugees currently residing in the United States will maintain access to support services. A follow-up email obtained by The Associated Press has reiterated that “refugee arrival to the United States has been suspended until further notice.” This announcement has extinguished the hopes of refugees who had finalized their approval process and secured flights before the enforcement deadline of the executive order.
A significant number of individuals affected include more than 1,600 Afghans who were approved for resettlement through a program established following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. This cohort comprises those who collaborated with American forces during the conflict, as well as relatives of active-duty US military members.
Initially, an order from Trump designated January 27 as the cutoff date for processing and travel; however, this timeline seems to have been expedited. The rationale for this abrupt alteration remains uncertain.
It is crucial to distinguish between refugees and asylum seekers, the latter of whom arrive directly at the US-Mexico border in search of protection. Refugees must reside outside the United States to be eligible for resettlement and are generally referred to the State Department by the United Nations.
Refugees are subjected to thorough vetting procedures prior to their admission into the United States. Upon their arrival, they are paired with resettlement organizations that support their integration into American society, which encompasses securing employment and enrolling their children in educational institutions. The suspension of these processes has elicited significant backlash from human rights organizations and advocates for refugees, underscoring the humanitarian impact of the policy alterations implemented by the Trump administration.