Trump Suspends Refugee Program, Sparking Concerns for Afghans and Other Vulnerable Groups
Advocates warn that halting resettlement leaves tens of thousands at risk just days before implementation.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department abruptly suspended its refugee resettlement program Tuesday night, ceasing all refugee flights into the country under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day in office.
The order, initially set to take effect Monday, was swiftly enforced, catching refugee advocates and aid organizations off guard. Some refugees who had already begun their journey to the U.S. are now stranded in transit countries.
“Many families were on the brink of safety, and now they are in limbo,” said Kathie O’Callaghan, president of Hearts and Homes for Refugees, a New York-based nonprofit that helps resettle refugees.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from refugee organizations, which argue that the U.S. resettlement program has long been a lifeline for persecuted communities. Studies indicate that refugees contribute positively to the economy, with higher labor force participation rates than the U.S. population overall. Additionally, they undergo rigorous security vetting before being granted entry.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., a vocal supporter of refugee protections, condemned the move. “Abandoning this program at a time of global displacement puts lives at risk and undermines our long-term security,” she said in a statement Wednesday.
The suspension reverses efforts by the Biden administration to rebuild the refugee program, which was significantly reduced during Trump’s first term. Last year, over 100,000 refugees were resettled in the U.S.—the highest number in three decades. Many of those individuals were fleeing persecution in countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Venezuela.
Afghans Face Heightened Danger
The sudden halt in resettlement particularly threatens Afghan refugees, thousands of whom were already vetted by U.S. authorities but are now left in uncertainty. Many of these individuals include former Afghan military personnel, journalists, and activists—groups that have been targeted by the Taliban since their return to power in 2021.
“It’s unconscionable to abandon them,” said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition advocating for Afghan refugees. “This sends a terrible message to our allies—that we support them only when it’s convenient.”
The suspension does not affect the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which is reserved for Afghans who directly worked with U.S. forces. However, many others—such as those who served in the Afghan military or fought for human rights—must rely on the now-paused refugee program.
The United Nations and human rights groups have documented cases of the Taliban carrying out extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture against former Afghan security personnel, journalists, and activists.
One Afghan woman, who resettled in the U.S., said her parents were scheduled to arrive on a January 30 flight, but she now fears they will not make it. “We are so worried, especially for my dad. He’s been in hiding for three years,” she said, speaking anonymously due to security concerns.
New Administration Prioritizes Border Security
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his first department-wide memo, signaled a strict stance on migration. “The era of mass migration must end,” he wrote, stating that U.S. diplomatic efforts would focus on securing borders and halting “illegal and destabilizing migration.”
However, the refugee suspension may clash with the views of some of Trump’s evangelical supporters, who have urged him to protect Christians fleeing persecution. Evangelical leaders recently issued a statement advocating for the continuation of the refugee program, noting that nearly 30,000 Christians were among the 100,000 refugees admitted to the U.S. last year.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration appears committed to scaling back refugee admissions, marking a significant shift in U.S. immigration and humanitarian policy.