1. Refugee Admissions Program Suspended.
On January 20, the President issued 120 executive actions, including an executive order directing the indefinite suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Days before the suspension took effect, flights for 10,000 fully vetted and approved refugees were abruptly canceled. The courts have ordered the administration to resettle those refugees who were conditionally approved for refugee status as of January 20, 2025. The administration has not yet complied. The lawsuit challenging this order, Pacito v. Trump, remains ongoing.
2. Essential Resettlement Services Cut Off.
On January 24, resettlement agencies were ordered to stop using federal funds to provide reception and placement services to recently resettled refugees. LSSNCA and our community stepped in with donations and other funding streams to support nearly 400 new neighbors who, overnight, were put at risk of homelessness and food insecurity. A month later, the administration terminated cooperative funding agreements with resettlement agencies, including faith-based organizations like LSSNCA.
3. Lawful Pathways Ended.
Another January 20th executive order directed the termination of several humanitarian parole programs, which had created temporary legal pathways for individuals to enter the United States and seek safety. These include the humanitarian parole programs for Ukrainians, and for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, as well as canceling the use of the CBP One mobile app, which allowed individuals to make an appointment at the southern border to seek asylum.
4. Protections Revoked.
In addition to ending parole programs allowing entry into the United States, the administration has attempted to revoke protections for people already here on parole and other lawful status by ending Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Venezuelans and revoking visas from college and university students, South Sudan nationals, and world leaders. Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging these actions.
5. Fast-Track Deportation Expanded.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded the use of ‘expedited removal,’ which allows the government to quickly remove individuals without a court hearing or due process, including some individuals who entered the U.S. through parole programs. In March, the administration invoked a 1798 wartime law in order to bypass court hearings and remove Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador with no due process. It has even resulted in individuals being wrongfully removed.
