In a significant move on the first day of his second term, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP),” which effectively suspends all refugee resettlement flights into the U.S. and halts refugee processing. According to a memo obtained by CNN, the executive order has led to the immediate cancellation of scheduled refugee travel and the suspension of all refugee-related activities.
The memo, sent by the U.S. State Department to refugee resettlement partners, informed them that “previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made.” The directive, which takes effect immediately, also ordered that no new refugee cases be processed. Specifically, the memo instructed Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to halt all pre-departure activities for refugees, including moving refugees to transit centers in anticipation of their arrival in the U.S.
“RSCs should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time,” the memo read, confirming that no new referrals should be made into the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The cancellation of refugee travel marks a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy, reflecting Trump’s long-standing position of reducing refugee admissions as part of a broader effort to curb illegal immigration and prioritize domestic interests.
The executive order, signed by Trump on January 20, 2025, just hours into his second term, cites a “significant influx of migrants” into the U.S. over the past several years, particularly through the USRAP. The order explains that cities such as Springfield, Ohio—recently in the news for an influx of Haitian migrants—have experienced substantial increases in migrant populations. Some areas have even declared states of emergency due to these migration surges.
Trump’s executive order argues that the U.S. “lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees.”
As such, the order suspends the USRAP “until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.” According to the memo, the Trump administration believes that the U.S. needs to prioritize the assimilation of refugees who are able to fully integrate into American society.
The Biden administration had previously announced plans to expand the program significantly. Under Biden, the refugee ceiling was raised to 125,000 for fiscal year 2025, with a focus on welcoming refugees from a diverse range of countries. The Trump administration’s abrupt suspension of the USRAP effectively reverses this trend and places new limits on the U.S. role in global refugee resettlement.
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Great news! America’s Citizens First
We don’t need the World’s CastAways.
Biden was on a mission to destroy the USA.
A good start.