Trump Administration Reduces Time for Refugees to Challenge Legal Status Termination

<p>The Trump administration is implementing a new rule that shortens the time refugees have to challenge the termination of their legal status, effective Wednesday. This change reduces the response period from 30 days to 10 days for refugees receiving a notice of intent to terminate their status.</p><p>The administration states that the rule aims to "mitigate potential risks" associated with individuals admitted as refugees who may not have been eligible for such status. The documents cited concerns regarding refugees admitted during the Biden administration, claiming there was an "alarming erosion of the integrity" of the refugee program, although refugee advocates dispute this assertion.</p><p>According to a document from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a review of refugee processing policies under the Biden administration indicated that the priority of expediency over quality led to insufficient vetting. The document stated that certain questions necessary for determining eligibility were omitted, increasing the risk of ineligible individuals being approved for refugee classification.</p><p>Zach Kahler, a spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Services, echoed these concerns, stating that the agency identified an "alarming erosion of screening and vetting measures" during the Biden administration.</p><p>This policy change follows a review of at least 185,000 refugees admitted during the Biden administration who have pending green card applications. The U.S. refugee admissions program has historically received bipartisan support since the Refugee Act of 1980, with refugees undergoing extensive security screenings and background checks before resettlement.</p><p>Critics argue that the new rule could lead to the deportation of tens of thousands of individuals who fled persecution and conflict. Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, stated that the new 10-day notice period is insufficient for refugees to secure legal representation or gather necessary documents.</p><p>HIAS, a refugee aid organization, expressed concerns that refugees facing deportation could be returned to countries where they may face persecution or torture. HIAS Vice President Naomi Steinberg emphasized the importance of maintaining the principle of permanent protection for refugees.</p><p>The Trump administration has made significant changes to the U.S. refugee admissions program, including a ceiling of 17,500 refugee admissions for fiscal year 2027, with a focus on resettling white South Africans. In contrast, the Biden administration set a higher ceiling of 125,000 for fiscal year 2025.</p><p>When Trump returned to office in January 2025, he suspended the refugee program, impacting individuals worldwide who were set to come to the U.S. The program was later reopened but primarily limited to white South Africans.</p><p><i>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</i></p>