Refugees scheduled to come to the United States following a years-long and often time-consuming procedure have had their flights canceled, according to a State Department communication to resettlement partners acquired by AWN.
The document follows President Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugee admissions and demonstrates the rapid impact his actions are already having. The action will have an impact on thousands of refugees who have already arranged flights.
“All previously booked refugee travel to the United States has been cancelled, and no new bookings will be made. “RSCs should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time,” the document says, citing the president’s executive order.
According to a person familiar with the data, around 10,000 refugees had travel plans that were subsequently canceled. The cancellations might be especially troublesome for refugees whose medical tests or security checks are about to expire.
The document also notes that case processing has halted, thus shutting down the initiative.
“Additionally, all refugee case processing and pre-departure operations have been paused. RSCs and IOMs should not relocate refugees to transit centers in preparation for travel and should suspend all pre-departure activity for refugee cases. “No new referrals should be made to the USRAP,” the email reads.
Exemptions apply to holders of Special Immigrant Visas, including individuals who have worked for the United States overseas. The document states that they can go to the United States. Refugees who are already in the United States can continue to receive assistance.
AWN has contacted the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration for comment.
Trump’s executive order, signed Monday, stated that the United States was unable to absorb the recent influx of migrants, including refugees, prompting the administration to suspend the US refugee admissions program “until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.”
The order said that the suspension will take effect on January 27. The memo suggests that it will take effect immediately.
The situation at the US southern border is distinct from the refugee program, which has been in operation for decades and has a rigorous vetting procedure in place for refugees from other countries seeking to resettle in the United States. However, the focus on refugees is consistent with the administration’s immigration policy, which attempts to limit access to the United States based on public safety and national security.
Under former President Joe Biden, the annual ceiling on refugee admissions to the United States was established at 125,000.
