The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a sudden pause on reviewing green card applications for certain refugees and asylees. This decision affects people who have already gone through an intense vetting process and were either granted asylum after arriving in the United States or were approved as refugees before entering the country.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for handling green card applications, stated that it is implementing “additional screening” before approving applications. This new step aims to detect possible fraud and address any security concerns.
However, the decision leaves thousands of people who fled dangerous situations in a state of uncertainty.
What This Means for Refugees and Asylees
Refugees and asylum-seekers are individuals who have left their home countries because they faced persecution. They may have been targeted due to their race, religion, political opinions, or other factors. The U.S. has long offered protection to these individuals, allowing them to apply for lawful permanent residency after a certain period. A green card gives them the ability to live and work in the U.S. permanently.
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Before being allowed into the U.S., refugees go through a lengthy vetting process while still overseas. Asylees, on the other hand, apply for protection after arriving in the U.S. They must prove that returning to their home country would put them in danger.
The new DHS directive affects both of these groups, meaning that people who were on track to becoming legal permanent residents will now have to wait even longer. While the exact length of the pause remains unclear, the uncertainty adds stress to many who were hoping to build a stable life in the U.S.
Both refugees and asylum-seekers must show they face persecution due to factors such as race, religion or political views. The key difference between a refugee and an asylum seeker lies in their legal status: a refugee has been officially recognized as such by a country, while an asylum seeker is awaiting a decision on their claim for refugee status.
The Reason Behind the Pause
According to Department of Homeland Security, this decision follows executive orders that require U.S. officials to conduct the most thorough possible screening of individuals seeking entry or permanent status in the country.
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The orders, which were signed during the Trump administration, emphasize national security concerns and aim to prevent individuals from entering the U.S. if they pose a threat.
Department of Homeland Security says the additional screening process will help identify fraud, security risks, or public safety concerns. However, it does not specify how long the pause will last or how many people will be affected. The decision could impact a broad range of individuals, including those who arrived in the U.S. after the withdrawal from Afghanistan and those who sought asylum at the U.S. border.
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While DHS insists that the pause is temporary, those affected now face an uncertain future. Many have already gone through years of legal processes and background checks, only to now face further delays. The move has raised concerns among immigration advocates who worry that this will create unnecessary hardship for those who have already met strict security requirements.
With no clear timeline for when processing will resume, refugees and asylees who were once steps away from permanent residency are now left waiting, unsure of when they will finally receive the security and stability they had hoped for in the United States.
