The Trump administration has quietly suspended the processing of green card applications for thousands of immigrants who have already been approved as refugees or granted asylum in the United States. This move, as reported by CBS News, involves the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instructing its officials to halt the processing of green card forms for individuals with humanitarian protection.
This directive is part of a broader effort to intensify immigration controls and vetting within the country, aligning with President Donald Trump's immigration policy. The decision places thousands of immigrants in a legal limbo despite having proven, through a rigorous vetting process, that they would face persecution in their home countries based on race, religion, or political opinion.
Both refugees and asylum seekers undergo extensive security checks, interviews, and medical exams before they are approved to legally stay in the U.S. According to the cited source, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the temporary suspension, explaining that it is being implemented to comply with two executive actions signed by the President, which mandate a comprehensive review of the verification procedures adopted during the Joe Biden administration.
Increased Scrutiny on Immigration Applications
USCIS has stated that the pause on certain applications for status adjustment is temporary while additional processes for identity verification, national security, and fraud prevention are completed. One of the executive orders instructs federal agencies to thoroughly vet and screen all foreign nationals seeking admission or already in the United States. The other order allows the State Department to designate Mexican cartels and gangs, like the Aragua Train, as terrorist organizations.
This latest move is part of the Trump administration's ongoing attempts to curb legal immigration through restrictions citing supposed national security threats. Just last month, the government halted immigration applications from Latin American and Ukrainian citizens who arrived under humanitarian programs promoted by Biden.
Additionally, over half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela were notified they had 30 days to leave the country voluntarily or face deportation. The administration claims these foreigners were "poorly vetted" and that the programs are riddled with irregularities.
Impacts on Humanitarian Programs
Among other measures, authorities have announced stricter monitoring of social media accounts for those applying for immigration benefits, including citizenship, permanent residency, and asylum. Applicants will have to provide personal accounts for review as part of the identity verification process.
Prior to this recent decision to halt residence processing for refugees and asylees, measures had already been taken that significantly impacted beneficiaries of humanitarian parole in the United States. Last Wednesday, it was reported that the U.S. government stopped processing residency applications for tens of thousands of migrants under this program due to security and fraud concerns identified in applications processed during the Biden administration.
Two days later, the Department of Homeland Security announced the official revocation of the legal status of parole beneficiaries, in compliance with Executive Order 14165 signed by Donald Trump. This revocation affects more than 530,000 people, including approximately 111,000 Cubans, who will lose their authorization to stay and work unless they find another legal way to regularize their immigration status.
Following this, the White House issued a direct warning to those affected, urging them to self-deport using a government-enabled digital application. The presidential spokesperson indicated that those without a legal basis must leave the country voluntarily or face expedited removal proceedings. These actions are part of a plan to dismantle the immigration programs implemented by Biden, which Trump views as an abuse of executive authority.
Reactions from Human Rights Organizations
Human rights organizations and political sectors have expressed concern over these decisions. Last Sunday, Amnesty International sharply criticized the termination of humanitarian parole, describing it as a demonstration of Trump's administration's disregard for human rights. The NGO warned of the devastating consequences this measure will have on hundreds of thousands of migrants, including Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, who arrived in the U.S. fleeing severe crises in their home countries.
FAQs on Trump Administration Immigration Policies
Why has the Trump administration paused green card processing for refugees and asylees?
The suspension is part of a broader strategy to increase immigration controls and vetting within the United States, aligning with President Trump's policies. The move aims to comply with executive actions requiring a thorough review of verification procedures from the Biden administration.
What impact does this pause have on affected immigrants?
Thousands of immigrants are left in a legal limbo, despite having been vetted as refugees or asylees proven to face persecution. Without processing their green card applications, their ability to remain and work in the U.S. is uncertain.
How have human rights groups responded to these immigration policy changes?
Organizations like Amnesty International have criticized the termination of humanitarian parole and related policies, citing them as a disregard for human rights. They warn of devastating consequences for migrants fleeing crises in their home countries.