Trump Orders Review of 2 Lakh Biden-Era Refugees, Suspends Green Card Approvals

In a sweeping move that could impact nearly 200,000 refugees, the Donald Trump administration has ordered a comprehensive review of people admitted to the United States under the Biden administration’s refugee program. According to an Associated Press report citing an official memo, the government has suspended all green card approvals for these individuals, triggering concern among advocacy groups and legal experts about renewed uncertainty for thousands of families.

The internal memo, dated November 21 and signed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow, asserts that during the Biden years, “expediency” and “quantity” were prioritized over thorough vetting. It directs USCIS to re-interview all refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, to determine whether their admission complied with security and eligibility standards. The screening process must be completed within three months of compiling the review list, the report said.

The order has also temporarily halted green card approvals for these refugees, with Edlow stating that the agency must ensure “the refugee program is not abused.” Under U.S. immigration laws, refugees can apply for a green card one year after arriving and may pursue citizenship after five years. However, the memo specifies that if a refugee is found to have been wrongly admitted, they “have no right to appeal,” though they can contest removal in immigration court.

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During the Biden administration, the U.S. refugee program saw a significant revival after years of decline. Between October 2021 and September 2024, around 1,85,640 refugees were admitted, representing a major rebound from the earlier Trump-era caps. Last year alone, over 1,00,000 people were accepted, with the largest arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Syria. The Trump administration earlier this year reinstated a 7,500-person cap, signaling a return to stricter migration limits.

Critics warn that the policy could rekindle fear among refugees who believed their resettlement was permanent and raise humanitarian concerns as families face renewed vetting years after entry. Supporters of the order argue it is necessary for national security and accountability, especially amid global instability. USCIS expects to release a priority list for re-interviews within 90 days, emphasizing a rigorous reassessment of each individual’s eligibility based on their original claims of persecution or fear of harm.

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