USCIS Halts Green Card Applications for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

USCIS paused green card applications for refugees and asylees under Trump-era policies for enhanced security screening measures.
Refugees and asylees, already rigorously vetted, face delays in obtaining legal permanent residency, impacting travel and family reunification prospects.
Applicants may need to provide extensive social media details as part of heightened fraud checks, potentially extending processing times.

The U.S. government has paused the green card applications of some individuals, including refugees and asylees, as part of an aggressive screening effort. This policy adjustment comes under guidelines laid out by the Trump administration. Multiple sources familiar with the situation informed CBS News that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued instructions to temporarily stop the processing of Adjustment of Status applications, the formal term for green cards.

This decision is expected to place a significant number of immigrants in a legal gray zone. These individuals, who were granted protection in the U.S. as refugees or asylees, already underwent stringent background checks and screenings before being approved. However, the recent changes mean their applications for legal permanent residency, a key step for better stability in the U.S., will now face delays.

Refugees and Asylees: Already a Thoroughly Screened Population

USCIS Halts Green Card Applications for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Refugees win their approval to enter the United States only after a demanding process. This includes extensive security checks, health screenings, and interviews—a process that often spans years. Refugees must demonstrate they face extreme risks in their home countries, often tied to religious beliefs, race, politics, or other personal attributes. Similarly, asylees—those who request protection upon entering the U.S.—must also prove they face persecution if returned to their countries of origin.

The abrupt decision introduces an air of uncertainty for these individuals, despite their proven need for safety. Many have fled violence or life-threatening circumstances and often leave behind homes, communities, and family members in search of protection.

The Broader Context: Executive Orders and Congressional Programs

The Trump administration had taken a series of steps targeting both the refugee and asylum systems during its time in office. For instance, refugee resettlement programs were scaled back dramatically, and the asylum system was effectively blocked at the U.S.-Mexico border through executive orders. Both moves faced legal challenges in federal court, but they underscore a broader effort to overhaul immigration systems.

In its statement to CBS News, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that this pause aligns with two former executive orders issued by President Trump. One of these orders called for a comprehensive review of immigration screening practices nationwide. Federal agencies were instructed to ensure the “maximum degree” of vetting for anyone seeking entry or legal status in the United States.

The second executive order, meanwhile, focused on designating certain criminal organizations, such as Mexican cartels, as foreign terrorist organizations. Officials claim that these changes prioritize safety and address long-standing concerns about fraud and national security in immigration processes.

Legal Immigration Under Review: USCIS Actions

USCIS emphasized that the pause on green card applications is temporary and tied to heightened measures for identifying any potential fraud or safety risks. Officials have hinted that new screening methods, such as enhanced social media monitoring, will now play a greater role across immigration programs.

Social media vetting is not entirely new; USCIS has historically used this method to check the background of certain applicants. However, the Trump administration’s updated policies mean that immigrants applying for citizenship, green cards, or asylum may be required to provide more extensive social media details, including usernames or account handles.

By requiring this level of data, USCIS aims to cross-check the statements of applicants against their public online activity, citing the need for stronger identity verification and security screening procedures. Critics argue that these measures might extend processing times and potentially cause errors or unintended consequences, especially for those with no history of public safety risks.

Who is Impacted and Why?

The ongoing delays are already creating ripples. Refugees and asylees in the U.S., who are some of the most vulnerable immigrant populations, face the immediate effects of this green card pause. They’ve placed trust in the U.S. legal system, which allowed them entry under thorough security rules. However, this abrupt change leaves them unable to advance their residency status, which often brings critical benefits—like the ability to travel abroad safely or petition for family reunification.

Beyond these groups, the recent focus on fraud and vetting challenges programs that were launched during the Biden administration. For example, last month, immigration applications from people coming through Biden-era parole programs were paused after claims of “loose vetting,” according to Trump officials. These programs included individuals from locations like Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Latin American countries using certain humanitarian pathways.

In another related move, the administration has instructed over 500,000 migrants from countries like Haiti 🇭🇹 and Nicaragua 🇳🇮, who entered via Biden-era pathways, to self-deport within 30 days. Non-compliance will lead to deportation enforcement. The Trump team has flagged fraud and misuse within these programs as the root of their scrutiny, although concrete evidence has yet to be made public.

The Growing Role of Vetting in U.S. Immigration Policy

The Trump administration’s policies reflect a consistent theme: tackling potential loopholes in immigration processes. The additional vetting requirements extend beyond just refugees and asylees. Every applicant for citizenship, green cards, and other key immigration benefits now undergoes tighter scrutiny. Measures like social media checks and even finer reviews of past criminal records aim to catch fraud and mistakes earlier in the process but have also brought concerns over delays and fairness.

Similar patterns were observed late last year when Latin American migrants, as well as some Ukrainian entrants, saw pauses in immigration services. USCIS and border officials cited possible fraud in documentation, stating national security as the driving force. Yet, such policies risk alienating vulnerable groups, as many of these individuals rely on speedy resolutions for basic well-being or family needs.

Criticism and Controversies

While some individuals and groups may agree with the need for stronger immigration screening, critics view these policies as overly harsh. Refugees and asylees, already often victims of trauma, may feel targeted again by the legal changes. Immigration advocates argue that these measures are less about safety and more about signaling tough immigration stances.

Federal agencies like USCIS counter that their duty is to uphold laws and ensure public safety. With immigration controversies emerging across border posts and internal systems alike, the Trump administration’s approach heavily emphasized control and caution, regardless of criticism.

Impact on Stakeholders

This pause on green card processing impacts not only the immigrants directly involved but also employers, schools, and communities that rely on them. Employers may lose highly skilled workers caught in this delay. Educational institutions relying on global talent for research and development may also face disruptions. Meanwhile, immigrant families—especially those pursuing reunification through green cards—might now endure prolonged separation.

The chilling effect of such policies could further limit access for eligible migrants to legal routes. As reported by VisaVerge.com, some experts worry this could push more individuals towards informal, unauthorized migration methods, creating greater risks for both migrants and enforcement agencies.

Looking Forward

While DHS characterizes this pause as temporary, the broader moves by USCIS to emphasize national security screening signal a trend that could reshape legal immigration systems in the coming years. Balancing public safety with the practical needs and humanitarian responsibilities of immigration remains critical.

For those caught in this limbo, monitoring updates from official sources like USCIS will be essential. For official green card application instructions and process updates, visit USCIS. This evolving situation highlights how policy changes impact the lives of individuals already undergoing complex legal processes in the U.S.

Although the Biden administration has shifted immigration policies in different directions, the Trump-era measures reviewed here illustrate the lasting impact of these laws on America’s immigration landscape.

Learn Today

Green Card → Official document granting an immigrant the right to live and work permanently in the United States.
Refugee → Individual granted protection in the U.S. after fleeing persecution or danger in their home country.
Asylee → Person seeking legal protection within the U.S. due to persecution risks in their country of origin.
Adjustment of Status → Legal process through which eligible individuals already in the U.S. apply for permanent residency.
Vetting → Thorough background screening process to verify an individual’s identity, eligibility, and potential security risks.

This Article in a Nutshell

> The U.S. government’s pause on green card applications leaves refugees and asylees in limbo. Despite passing rigorous vetting, their Adjustment of Status faces delays under Trump-era policies. Critics argue extended screenings prioritize caution over fairness, disrupting lives and stalling stability. This policy highlights an ongoing tension in America’s immigration system.
> — By VisaVerge.com