Washington, D.C. — Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA) opposes the Department of Homeland Security’s new interim final rule — effective today — reducing the time refugees have to respond to a notice of intent to terminate their status. The rule replaces a 30-day response period with a 10-day deadline, making it far more difficult for refugees to find counsel, gather records, translate documents, and defend the protection the United States already granted them.
“This interim rule is the latest in a series of policies over the past two years that have eroded due process, weakened procedural safeguards, and stripped protections for people fleeing persecution,” said Kristyn Peck, LSSNCA CEO. “Ten days is not adequate notice. It is a procedural trap for families who may be navigating trauma, language barriers, limited transportation, mail delays, and a complex immigration system. If their protection is threatened, they deserve a fair and meaningful genuine chance to defend it. America’s promise of safety must include a fair and meaningful opportunity to preserve that protection.”
For the communities LSSNCA serves, the consequences could extend beyond immigration status, threatening families’ stability and the lives they have worked to rebuild.
LSSNCA urges DHS to rescind the rule and preserve meaningful notice and protection. We call on elected leaders to defend fair treatment for refugees and support access to legal services that help families understand their rights and respond when their protection is threatened.
