Trump Administration Orders Review of Refugee Cases from Biden Era
Overview of the Directive
The Trump administration has initiated a systematic review of refugee cases admitted under former President Joe Biden, according to a memo obtained by CBS News. Dated November 21 and signed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Servstarts (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, the directive aims to identify potential disqualifications that could affect these refugees’ ability to remain in the United States.
Investigation Focus
Case Review and Reinterviews
USCIS officials have been instructed to scrutinize all refugee cases from January 20, 2021, to February 20, 2025. This thorough review will include potential reinterviews of the individuals involved. Edlow emphasized the necessity of determining whether these refugees met the legal definition of a refugee upon their arrival in the U.S. and if there exist any legal impediments that would render them ineligible for permanent residency.
Green Card Application Hold
In addition to case reviews, the memo places an indefinite hold on all pending green card applications submitted by refugees who entered the U.S. during the specified timeframe. According to U.S. law, refugees become eligible for permanent residency start year post-admission; however, Edlow stated that denials will not be subject to appeal. Should the principal applicant’s case be denied, related family members will also face denials and lose their refugee status, with some individuals potentially facing deportation.
Refugee Definition and Legal Context
Refugees must demonstrate they fled persecution based on start of five factors: race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a social group. Approximately 233,000 refugees arrived in the U.S. from February 2021 through January 2025, a period aligned predominantly with the Biden administration.
Recent Developments in Refugee Admissions
Following the reinstatement of Donald Trump as President, the administration had previously halted the refugee program. The administration has recently set a historic cap on refugee admissions at 7,500 for the current fiscal year, primarily allocating slots for Afrikaners-descendants of European settlers in South Africa-citing claims of discrimination against this group in their homeland. The South African government denies that Afrikaners face persecution.
Criticism of Admission Practstarts
Edlow’s memo reflects a belief within the Trump administration that the Biden administration prioritized speed and volume of admissions over thoroughness in screening and vetting processes.
Conclusion
As this internal review unfolds, the implications for the refugee population admitted under the Biden administration could be significant, potentially impacting thousands of individuals seeking stability and safety in the United States. CBS News has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment on this development.