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The Department of Homeland Security has paused the processing of green card applications for refugees and asylum seekers.
Some shit you should know before you read: Shortly after Trump began his second term, he signed a wide range of executive orders aimed at tightening immigration controls, particularly targeting asylum seekers and refugees. One order directed federal agencies to “vet and screen to the maximum degree possible all aliens” already in the US or seeking entry—especially those from countries considered security risks. Another executive order authorized the designation of foreign criminal organizations, including drug cartels and transnational gangs, as foreign terrorist organizations, expanding the administration’s ability to scrutinize migrants under national security justifications.
What’s going on now: First reported by CBS, DHS has implemented a temporary pause on processing green card applications—formally known as Adjustment of Status—for individuals granted asylum or refugee status. This directive, issued through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), impacts thousands of people who have already cleared rigorous background checks and were on the path to becoming lawful permanent residents. The pause affects those who entered the US as approved refugees, often after years of overseas vetting, as well as asylees granted protection by US immigration judges or asylum officers after demonstrating a credible fear of persecution.
DHS says the pause is necessary to conduct additional security and fraud screenings in alignment with two executive orders recently signed by President Trump. One order calls for “maximum vetting” of all non-citizens already in the country or seeking entry, especially those from high-risk regions. The other allows the US to designate foreign criminal groups, such as drug cartels, as terrorist organizations.
USCIS has also expanded requirements for social media vetting and other identity verification measures. No timeline has been given for when the pause will end.
This all comes amid a notable drop in illegal border crossings at the US-Mexico border, with February recording approximately 8,450 apprehensions—marking the lowest monthly total in at least 25 years. That figure represents a 70% decrease from January’s 29,000 apprehensions, which itself had dropped 38% from December’s 47,000.
For perspective, some days under the previous Biden administration saw more than 7,000+ apprehensions in a single day.
