Why the Refugee Review Matters: What We Know Right Now

Last week, a friend texted me in a panic. Her cousin came to the U.S. as a refugee in 2022, and she worried he might lose everything. She had seen headlines about a new federal review of refugees admitted during the Biden years. She didn’t know what it meant or what her family should expect.

If you’ve felt that same confusion, you’re not alone. The policy is big, the language is heavy, and the stakes are real. Let’s walk through it in simple, plain English.

What the memo actually says

According to a memo obtained by the Associated Press, the Trump administration instructed immigration officials to review refugees who came between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025. That’s about 200,000 people.

Source: AP News reporting on the refugee review

The memo says that during those years, the refugee program focused too much on speed and not enough on “detailed screening and vetting.” Because of that, the government wants to re-check every case. This includes:

• Re-interviewing refugees
• Reviewing their original case files
• Pausing green card processing for many of them

Reuters confirmed that the review could affect more than 233,000 people if the broader definition is used.

Source: Reuters: Trump orders refugee review

What this means for refugees living in the U.S.

If you’re a refugee admitted during those years, here’s what this review might mean based on what we know today:

1. Your green card may be delayed

Most refugees apply for a green card one year after arrival. The new review could pause those applications until interviews or file checks are complete.

2. You may need another interview

This would be a second interview, even if you already completed security screenings abroad before arriving.

3. A few cases may be reopened

This is the part that scares people the most. The memo says some refugee decisions could be revisited. That doesn’t mean everyone loses status — but it means the government wants the option.

Why advocacy groups are raising alarm

Advocates say refugees are already the most heavily screened immigrants allowed into the United States. One group told AP:

“Refugees are already the most highly vetted immigrants in the United States.”

The fear is that a blanket review makes people feel unsafe in their new lives, even if they did everything right.

Will this lead to removals?

No one can say yet. The memo doesn’t order mass removals. What it does is create a process to re-check old cases. That could lead to:

• No changes
• More interviews
• Case updates
• A small number of terminations

But nothing in the memo says everyone will lose status.

What refugees can do right now

We recommend reviewing our permanent resources:

• Know Your Rights
• Advance Parole Guide
• DACA Explained (helpful even for non-DACA cases because it explains status checks and renewals)

Where to read the official guidance

The government has not released the memo publicly yet, but official press releases may appear at:

• USCIS.gov
• DHS.gov

We will update this article if federal guidance changes.