Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program
This executive order realigns the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) by suspending refugee admissions for the United States and giving the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Secretary of State (DOS) authority to admit refugees only on a limited, case-by-case basis. The suspension takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 27, 2025, and remains in place until a formal finding is made that resuming refugee admissions would be in the national interest. The order requires periodic reporting every 90 days to reassess whether resumption is appropriate and directs the departments to examine and promote greater involvement by state and local jurisdictions in refugee placement, while preserving consultation requirements under other existing law. It also revokes a prior refugee-resettlement executive order and states that the order does not create enforceable rights. In short, the order prioritizes public safety and national security, tightens controls on refugee admissions, and opens a pathway for limited, discretionary case-by-case admissions while exploring increased state/local role and oversight in refugee placement.
Key Points
- 1Immediate suspension of entry into the United States of refugees under USRAP, with exceptions only if both the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security determine it is in the national interest and does not threaten security or welfare (effective 12:01 a.m. EST on January 27, 2025).
- 2Suspension of decisions on refugee status by DHS, pending findings under a future review process; refuge admissions are effectively halted except for tightly constrained case-by-case approvals.
- 3Case-by-case admissions may occur if jointly determined by DOS and DHS to be in the national interest and not a threat; these are limited and discretionary.
- 4DHS, in consultation with DOS, must examine existing law and propose greater involvement by state and local jurisdictions in refugee placement, ensuring that state/local consultation requirements under 8 U.S.C. 1522(a)(2) are carried out for all refugees admitted.
- 5Within 90 days, and then every 90 days thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security (with the Secretary of State) must report to the President on whether resuming USRAP would be in the United States’ interests, continuing the reporting cycle until a resumption decision is made.
- 6Executive Order revokes Executive Order 14013 (February 4, 2021) related to resettlement programs and climate change planning, and includes severability and general provisions clarifying authorities, budgeting, and the non-creation of enforceable rights.