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THE UNITED STATES HAS CANCELLED ALL CURRENT REFUGEE FLIGHTS.

BY MELANIE NATHAN, JANUARY 22, 2025


On January 20, 2025, newly inaugurated President Trump signed an executive order that suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) indefinitely, effective January 27, 2025. Even though this only goes into effect on Jan 27 the U.S. Government went ahead and cancelled refugee flights headed to the USA. This may exclude flights of those who have worked for the U.S. Government. The EO directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to determine the extent to which states and localities may have greater involvement in resettlement decisions in their jurisdictions; and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report within 90 days regarding whether the resumption of refugee admissions under the USRAP would be in the interests of the United States.

 

This order purports to permit exceptions for certain refugees, on a case-by-case basis, if the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security jointly determine that their admission is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States. To this end representing the most vulnerable among us, LGBTQI+ refugees, who are threatened with death, even within protection environments must be seen as such exceptions. We must fight for this status, while still condemning the Executive Order, in its entirety, for all.

 

The order also rescinds President Biden’s Executive Order 14013 of February 4, 2021, Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration.


This news follows President Trump’s plans and accompanying executive orders to undertake a series of anti-refugee, anti-asylum, anti-immigrant actions. VIA HIAS:


RCUSA's Rapid Response Task Force is pushing out a new Field Survey to collect additional questions communities have around the refugee ban executive order and as a way to begin collecting stories of impact. It is particularly important to make haste in documenting harm. Pls share/amplify with your networks! Short link: https://tinyurl.com/RefugeeBanFieldSurvey

Reminder that RCUSA's Rapid Response Task Force released this morning a new FAQ document: https://tinyurl.com/RefugeeBanFAQ

And here is an unbranded action alert (from our friends at CWS): https://p2a.co/SU0jaaW (and here's CWS's branded alert).


CNN — 

Refugees who were slated to travel to the United States after a years-long and often cumbersome process have had their flights canceled, according to a State Department memo to resettlement partners obtained by CNN.


The memo comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions and marks another example of the swift impact his actions are already having. The move stands to affect thousands of refugees who had flights already scheduled.


“All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made. RSCs should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time,” the memo states, citing the president’s executive order.


Approximately 10,000 refugees had travel booked, which is now canceled, according to a source familiar with the data. The cancellations could be particularly troubling for refugees whose medical exams or security checks, for example, are on the cusp of expiring.


The memo also states that case processing is suspended, effectively shuttering the program.

“Additionally, all refugee case processing and pre-departure activities are also suspended. RSCs and IOM should not move refugees to transit centers in anticipation of travel and should halt all pre-departure activities for refugee cases. No new referrals should be made into the USRAP,” the memo continues.


Special Immigrant Visa holders, which includes those who worked for the US abroad, are exempt. They can travel to the United States, according to the memo. Those refugees who are already in the United States can also continue to receive services.




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