The Trump administration has ordered a sweeping review of all refugees who entered the United States under former president Joe Biden, including a halt on processing permanent residence applications.

The review could affect roughly 200,000 individuals admitted between January 2021 and February 2025.

An internal memo from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joe Edlow, dated November 21, revealed the order for a comprehensive review of refugees admitted under Biden. According to the memo, the review will include re-interviews to ensure all individuals meet refugee criteria.

USCIS did not immediately comment on the memo. The directive also temporarily suspends the processing of permanent residence applications for refugees admitted during Biden’s term.

Trump’s hardline immigration approach

President Trump, who froze refugee admissions upon taking office in January, has emphasized a strict immigration and refugee policy. His administration’s move represents a significant shift from the Biden administration, which admitted over 100,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024.

The memo claims the Biden administration may have prioritized speed and volume over thorough interviews and detailed vetting, raising concerns about the quality of refugee admissions.

Potential terminations and re-interviews

According to the USCIS memo, refugee status may be terminated for individuals found not to meet the required criteria. The agency will conduct re-interviews for all refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, and may extend reviews to admissions outside this timeframe if necessary.

“This comprehensive review is warranted given potential gaps in the previous administration’s vetting process,” the memo stated.

The review could impact hundreds of thousands of refugees, creating uncertainty for those seeking permanent residency. Legal experts warn that the process may involve lengthy delays and increased scrutiny of applicants’ backgrounds.

USCIS will reportedly begin contacting refugees for interviews in the coming months, and the agency will determine status adjustments or terminations based on the findings.