WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has canceled the travel plans of refugees who were approved for entry into the United States prior to a deadline next week that would suspend the refugee resettlement program. This abrupt decision has left many refugees, who have fled conflict and persecution, stranded across various locations globally. Among them are over 1,600 Afghans who supported the U.S. military efforts, including family members of active U.S. service members.
Earlier this week, President Trump put a halt to the refugee resettlement program as part of a broader series of executive orders aimed at tightening immigration policies. Initially, there had been hope that refugees who had already been screened and booked flights could bypass the impending suspension. However, an email from the agency responsible for refugee processing, dated Tuesday, confirmed that all refugee arrivals in the U.S. have been suspended until further notice.
According to internal documents, over 10,000 refugees worldwide had already navigated the extensive vetting process and had planned travels over the forthcoming weeks. It remains unclear how many were expecting to arrive by the impending halt date.
One distressing case involves Gabriela, who had been eagerly awaiting her parents, brother, and other family members traveling from Guatemala to Los Angeles after their refugee status was approved. After selling their home and belongings and taking a loan to furnish their new residence, they were met with disappointment when their flight was abruptly canceled. Gabriela, who fears for her family’s safety, expressed deep concern regarding their uncertain future.
Among the affected individuals are more than 1,600 Afghans who had been cleared for resettlement as part of a program initiated by the Biden administration after the conclusion of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan in 2021. Many veterans of the long conflict have fought tirelessly to assist these individuals in securing refuge in America. While some anticipated an eventual suspension, they hoped for special provisions to aid their Afghan counterparts.
“The early suspension of refugee flights by the Trump administration is alarming and puts countless Afghan allies in a state of fear and helplessness,” stated Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and leader of the #AfghanEvac coalition, which advocates for Afghan resettlement efforts. He called for transparent communication with affected families and emphasized the importance of honoring commitments made to those who supported the U.S. during the war.
For Afghans who worked directly with the U.S. government, there exists a special immigrant visa program that remains unaffected by the recent changes. Sen. Chris Coons, a supporter of Afghan resettlement efforts in Congress, expressed heartache over the cancellation of flights for those who were poised to begin a new chapter in life.
Trump’s executive order, signed earlier in the week, had initially granted the State Department a week before imposing a stop on refugee processing and travel. However, the implementation appears to have been expedited, the reasons for which are not yet clear. The State Department directed inquiries to the White House, which has not yet provided a response.
Republican Rep. Brian Mast, who leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is a military veteran, indicated that the suspension of Afghan arrivals was based on concerns regarding the vetting process for those already approved for resettlement.
Critics have raised issues regarding the Biden administration’s security precautions for those seeking refuge in the U.S. However, Trump’s executive order cited a surge in migration that purportedly strained cities and communities, rendering them less capable of accommodating significant numbers of refugees.
Advocates and veterans associated with refugee assistance emphasize the thorough vetting process refugees undergo before entering the United States, often involving lengthy waits. “In many scenarios, refugees face one of the most rigorous vetting systems globally, only to discover their travel has been canceled last minute,” mentioned Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, one of the key U.S. resettlement organizations.
It’s important to note that refugees are distinctly different from individuals arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum, as refugees must reside outside the U.S. to be eligible for resettlement, typically being referred by the United Nations to the State Department.
Despite historically enjoying bipartisan support, the refugee resettlement program has faced interruptions and capacity reductions during Trump’s administration.
