Blurb: The new directive broadens powers to detain refugees seeking permanent residency in the US
Minnesota
The administration of Donald Trump has granted immigration officers expanded authority to detain legal refugees awaiting green cards as part of a new policy aimed at strengthening vetting procedures.
The directive, outlined in a government memorandum dated February 18 and filed in federal court, represents a significant shift in how refugees are processed after their arrival.
According to the memo issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, refugees must return to government custody for inspection and examination one year after being admitted into the country. The department stated that this detain-and-inspect requirement is intended to ensure refugees are re-vetted after their first year, aligning post-admission screening procedures with those applied to other applicants seeking entry. Officials argue that the change promotes public safety and ensures compliance with immigration laws.
Under existing U.S. law, refugees are required to apply for lawful permanent resident status—commonly known as a green card—one year after arriving in the United States. The new policy authorizes immigration authorities to detain individuals for the duration of the re-inspection process, rather than allowing them to remain at liberty while their status adjustment applications are pending. The memo frames the measure as an administrative adjustment designed to standardize vetting practices and close perceived gaps in the system.
The policy marks a departure from guidance issued in a 2010 memorandum, which did not mandate detention for refugees who had not yet secured permanent resident status. Critics are expected to challenge the revised approach, arguing that it could subject individuals who were already screened prior to admission to additional uncertainty and confinement. Supporters, however, maintain that enhanced oversight is necessary to maintain national security and uphold immigration integrity.
The memorandum’s submission in federal court suggests that the directive could face legal scrutiny in the coming weeks. As immigration remains a central issue in national political debate, the expanded detention authority underscores the administration’s broader crackdown on both legal and unauthorized immigration pathways.