The Trump administration ordered a comprehensive review of the refugees admitted under the Biden administration, affecting 233,000 people.

The internal memo of USCIS, signed by Joe Edlow, states that refugee status can be revoked if it is found that individuals do not meet the necessary criteria. Additionally, the processing of permanent residency applications for refugees admitted under the Biden administration is suspended. This action represents a drastic reversal of the more liberal policies of his predecessor, Biden, who admitted over 100,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024.

Critics, including Democrats and refugee rights organizations, have denounced these measures as inhumane and wasteful, emphasizing that refugees have been vetted more rigorously than other immigrant groups. Trump set a record cap of 7,500 refugees for fiscal year 2026, focusing on bringing in white South Africans, a claim contested by the South African government.