WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has ordered an extensive review of all refugees admitted to the United States during the Biden administration, a move that could impact approximately 200,000 individuals. An internal U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) memo, dated November 21 and signed by Director Joe Edlow, outlines a plan to re-interview all refugees who entered the country between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025.
The directive also halts the processing of permanent residency applications for refugees who arrived during this period. The memo asserts that the Biden administration may have prioritized “expediency, quantity, and admissions over quality interviews and detailed screening and vetting,” creating potential security risks.
