Trump Administration Halts Refugee Resettlement Plans for Approved Travelers

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has canceled the travel arrangements of refugees who had been authorized to enter the United States prior to a deadline next week that halts America’s resettlement program.

Thousands of refugees, who escaped conflict and oppression and had undergone a lengthy process to begin new lives in America, are now left stranded in various locations globally. This includes over 1,600 Afghans who aided America’s military efforts, along with family members of active U.S. servicemen.

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President Donald Trump implemented a suspension of the refugee resettlement program this week as part of a series of executive actions enforcing stricter immigration measures. His action had allowed for the possibility that refugees who had been vetted to enter the U.S. and had already booked flights before the Jan. 27 deadline might still be able to make it.

However, in an email dated Tuesday and obtained by The Associated Press, the U.S. agency responsible for refugee processing and arrivals informed personnel and stakeholders that “refugee arrivals to the United States have been suspended until further notice.”

There are just over 10,000 refugees from across the globe who had already completed the extensive refugee admission procedure and had travel plans set for the coming weeks, according to a document acquired by the AP. It remains uncertain how many of those had been scheduled to arrive by the approaching deadline.

This number includes more than 1,600 Afghans approved to travel to the U.S. as part of a program established by the Biden administration following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Many veterans from America’s extended conflict have sought for years to assist Afghans they collaborated with, as well as their families, in finding refuge in the U.S. While many anticipated a suspension of the resettlement program, they had hoped for special exemptions for the Afghans.

“The Trump administration’s premature suspension of refugee flights is concerning, leaving thousands of Afghan allies in fear and uncertainty,” stated Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and leader of #AfghanEvac, a coalition advocating for Afghan resettlement efforts. “We stand ready to partner to resolve this issue and call for transparent communication with affected families. Let’s fulfill our commitments and embody America’s ideals.”

There exists an alternative route—the special immigrant visa program—specifically for Afghans who collaborated directly with the U.S. government. VanDiver’s organization noted that this program, established by Congress, did not seem to be impacted at the moment.

Trump’s order, signed Monday, had granted the State Department a week to begin halting all processing and travel. It appears that the schedule was accelerated, though it is unclear what triggered the adjustment.

The State Department directed inquiries to the White House, which did not respond promptly to a request for comments.

Organizations assisting refugees in settling and assimilating into life in America have argued that this represents the form of legal immigration that Trump and his supporters advocate for and have highlighted the rigorous background checks and often years of waiting that refugees endure prior to arriving in America.

“This sudden cessation of refugee admissions is tragic for families who have already faced unimaginable suffering and have waited years for the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety,” stated Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the leader of Global Refuge, one of the ten U.S. resettlement agencies, in a statement on Wednesday.

“Refugees undergo one of the most stringent vetting procedures globally, and many are now witnessing their travel plans canceled merely days, or even hours, before they were set to start their new lives in the United States,” she remarked. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking.”

Refugees differ from individuals who arrive directly at the U.S.-Mexico border with the intention of eventually seeking asylum. Refugees must reside outside the U.S. to be eligible for resettlement and are typically referred to the State Department by the United Nations.

While the resettlement program has historically received bipartisan backing, the first Trump administration also temporarily paused resettlement and subsequently reduced the number of refugees permitted to enter the nation annually.