President Donald Trump
The Trump administration has initiated a temporary suspension of green card processing for certain immigrants, including those who initially entered the United States as refugees or asylees.
The decision, confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is attributed to the need for enhanced vetting procedures to align with President Trump's executive directives on national security and immigration integrity. According to sources within US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), officials have been instructed to temporarily halt the finalization of Adjustment of Status applications – the formal process for obtaining a green card – for individuals who have already been granted refugee or asylum status after demonstrating a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries.
These applications are now on hold pending further review. DHS stated that the pause is necessary to conduct additional screening and vetting measures, aimed at identifying potential fraud and addressing any public safety or national security concerns. The policy is rooted in two executive actions issued by President Trump, one of which specifically mandates enhanced vetting procedures for all individuals seeking entry or already residing within the US.
The suspension follows a series of recent Trump administration measures designed to tighten immigration controls and restrict legal immigration processes. These include the suspension of immigration applications for individuals from Latin America and Ukraine who arrived in the US under Biden-era programs and increased scrutiny of immigrants' social media accounts. Critics argue that the decision could create hardship and uncertainty for vulnerable populations who have already undergone rigorous vetting.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the potential erosion of legal immigration pathways and the administration's broader approach to immigrants seeking refuge in the US. Civil rights advocates and immigration law experts have expressed concerns about potential discrimination, due process violations, and the overall impact on the US's tradition of welcoming immigrants and refugees. The administration maintains that these policies are necessary to safeguard national security, combat fraud, and ensure the integrity of the immigration system.