Changes to the refugee program in the United States

Information for refugees already in the U.S.

If you entered the U.S. through the US refugee admissions program, there is no change to your current status. Resettlement agencies offer limited support, and programs such as Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) and Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) may still be available depending on your state.

Operation to detain refugees and review their cases

On February 18, the administration announced a plan to arrest and re-interview any refugees who have lived in the U.S. for at least one year and who have not yet received a Green Card. Refugees who have filed an application for a Green Card (Form I-485) and who appear at scheduled interviews and appointments “may” not be subject to an arrest. 

Here is what you need to know:

• As of March 23, 2026, refugees can not be arrested and detained because they did not file a Green Card application after one year.
• The court ruling does not stop the re-interviews from continuing. At your Green Card interview, officers will review whether you qualified for refugee status when you entered the U.S. They may also review “inadmissibility issues,” or past concerns that could affect your application. This happens whether you are in detention or not.

Based on what we know right now, here is how you can prepare:

• If you are a refugee and have not already filed an I-485 to adjust to a Green Card, you should do so immediately. Learn how. 
• If you are a refugee who is not already a lawful permanent resident, consider filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get a copy of your refugee application file. This can help you prepare for a potential interview.
• Watch a video on how to prepare for the interview.
• It is important to learn how to prepare for an encounter with ICE. 
• If you can, get advice from an immigration lawyer or a trusted legal organization to understand your options and risks.

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How does this differ from Operation PARRIS?

In January, DHS and USCIS started Operation PARRIS in Minnesota to arrest refugees who had not yet adjusted to a Green Card and review their cases. On January 28, a Judge in Minnesota temporarily blocked the arrests of refugees under this operation and required the release of those who were already arrested.

On March 23, in a separate lawsuit, a judge paused the nationwide refugee arrest policy everywhere else in the country.

Pause on Green Card applications

All pending Green Card (I-485) applications for refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, have also been put on hold indefinitely.

• Even though applications are paused, it is important to continue to file to help protect against potential detention by ICE. 
• Some Green Cards may still be issued for refugees following the completion of a “re-interview” process.

Information for those already in the process

This includes people who have started the refugee process but are still outside the United States, including follow-to-join cases.

Refugee cases:

• The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) is suspended, so most refugee cases overseas cannot move forward.
• Refugee travel has resumed, but only for those prioritized by the government, including Afrikaners from South Africa.
• The refugee ban remains in place. Only people who receive an exemption may enter.
• On March 5, a court ruled that the refugee suspension can continue.

Follow-to-join (I-730) for refugees:

• Most cases remain on hold overseas.
• Travel to the U.S. is paused.

Information for those who want to apply

Right now, most options to apply for resettlement to the United States are closed or very limited.

• You cannot apply to the refugee program at this time because USRAP is suspended.
• The refugee ban remains in place. Only people who receive an exemption may enter.
• The Private Sponsorship program is closed. U.S. citizens and permanent residents cannot apply to sponsor refugees.
• The Presidential Determination of allowed refugees for 2026 is 7,500 and is mostly for Afrikaners. Currently, these slots can only be used by people who receive an exemption to the refugee ban.

什么是难民安置？

Refugee resettlement is a process that allows certain refugees to enter the U.S. and receive services to help them rebuild their lives.

• People must apply for the refugee program from outside the United States.
• The United Nations and other actors refer potential refugees to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which includes a long interview and screening process.  
• Each year, the government sets a limit on the number of refugees who can come to the United States, called a “Presidential Determination”.
• Resettlement agencies provide short-term help with housing, benefits, and basic needs.

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