The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it is pausing review of green card applications for some refugees and asylees, leaving in limbo those who came to the U.S. after fleeing unrest.
The directive from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would impact refugees already approved to come to the United States, as well as those who were granted asylum after petitioning for the protection in immigration court.
While both groups are thoroughly vetted, DHS said it would press pause on those seeking to become lawful permanent residents for “additional screening.”
“To better identify fraud, public safety or national security concerns, USCIS is placing a temporary pause on finalizing certain Adjustment of Status applications pending the completion of additional screening and vetting,” DHS said in a statement, pointing to two different executive orders by Trump.
One of the orders referenced calls for the administration to “vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens who intend to be admitted, enter, or are already inside the United States, particularly those aliens coming from regions or nations with identified security risks.”
CBS News first reported the development.
The directive could impact a wide swatch of migrants, from those who came to the U.S. following the exit from Afghanistan to those who first raised asylum claims at the border.
Both refugees and asylum-seekers must show they face persecution due to factors such as race, religion or political views. Refugees are only admitted to the United States after undergoing thorough vetting while they remain abroad.
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