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The US government has officially suspended its refugee resettlement program following an executive order from President Trump.
Some shit you should know before you read: The US refugee resettlement program provides a pathway for individuals fleeing persecution, war, and violence to rebuild their lives in the US. Under the Biden administration, the program was ramped up after being significantly reduced during the Trump years, with the annual cap on refugee admissions raised to 125,000, a sharp increase from the low cap of 15,000 set by Trump. According to the Biden administration, refugees underwent an extensive vetting process, including medical exams, security screenings, and background checks conducted by multiple government agencies, before being approved for resettlement. Once admitted, they are provided with support such as housing, employment assistance, and language training through partnerships with nonprofit organizations and local resettlement agencies.

What’s going on now: Two days ago, President Trump issued an executive order halting the US refugee resettlement program, citing national security concerns and the need to reassess how refugee admissions align with American interests. The order immediately suspended all scheduled refugee travel to the United States and paused case processing for at least three months. This decision affected approximately 10,000 refugees worldwide, including more than 1,600 Afghans who had assisted US military efforts during the war in Afghanistan. The Trump administration justified the move by arguing that the United States could not absorb the influx of migrants and refugees without jeopardizing national security, framing the suspension as a necessary step to evaluate and reform the program.
The halt has left thousands stranded in transit countries such as Pakistan and Qatar, while others in refugee camps faced the expiration of medical clearances and security checks, which could further delay their resettlement.
Criticism from some: In a statement, Human Rights Watch criticized Trump’s move, accusing him of abandoning “US leadership that has been so instrumental in building and nurturing responsibility-sharing between well-to-do donor and resettlement countries and those countries on the front line of mass migration that have historically – and still – struggle the most to provide asylum to those fleeing conflicts or crises in neighboring countries.”