Administration Reviewing Status of 200,000 Refugees

Action: According to a memo obtained by the press, the Administration is reportedly planning to review the status of about 200,000 refugees admitted to the US between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025. The memo also suspended green card (permanent resident status) approvals for this group and stated that it would review previously-approved green cards in this group. The Administration is also considering implementing additional actions following the shooting of two members of the National Guard on November 26 by an Afghan national admitted under a program for individuals who assisted the US war effort there.

Trusted Insights for What's Ahead^®

• The review will reportedly include re-interviews of all 200,000 impacted refugees. The Administration claims that refugees admitted in that period were not subjected to “detailed screening and vetting.”
• The action is part of the Administration’s broader immigration policy efforts, which have included measures to reduce both legal and illegal immigration. Following his inauguration, the President suspended the refugee resettlement program for four months.
• The President recently announced that only 7,500 refugees would be admitted in the upcoming fiscal year, a dramatic reduction from the 125,000 cap set during the last administration.
• Following the November 26 attack, the President stated that the Administration would “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” and denaturalize migrants “who undermine domestic tranquility.”  The Department of Homeland Security also announced that it would implement new vetting guidance for immigrants from 19 high-risk countries, though this action was under consideration before the shooting.
• The legal basis for some of these measures is unclear, and they could be challenged in court.
• What this means for business: Reductions in the number of refugees holding humanitarian parole, which includes the ability to work in the US, could have employment impacts for firms – about 78% of refugees are working age. Working refugees are particularly concentrated in certain sectors, including manufacturing and health care. Businesses should consider the potential impact on operations of employees possibly losing work status.