Trump Administration Suspends U.S. Refugee Program, Stranding Thousands

The executive order halts refugee admissions for at least 90 days, leaving vetted Afghan allies and others in limbo, sparking humanitarian concerns.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for at least 90 days, citing the need to evaluate its alignment with U.S. interests.
The suspension has canceled travel plans for approximately 10,000 refugees, including 1,600 Afghans already cleared for resettlement, and halted all new refugee case processing indefinitely.
Advocacy groups warn that the suspension leaves thousands of Afghan refugees, including women’s rights advocates and former U.S. military allies, at risk of persecution, arrest, or deportation in countries like Pakistan.
The decision interrupts a resettlement system that had been rebuilding after years of cuts, with 100,000 refugees resettled in the U.S. in 2024, the highest in three decades.
Critics, including refugee organizations and U.S. veterans, argue the move undermines humanitarian commitments and jeopardizes the safety of vulnerable populations fleeing conflict and persecution.