Refugees Without Green Cards Could Be Arrested Under New Trump Policy

NYT Homepage

by Madeleine Ngo

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Trump administration has introduced a new policy targeting refugees who have been lawfully admitted to the United States but have not yet obtained a green card. Under this policy, immigration agents are instructed to detain such individuals if they fail to apply for legal permanent status within one year of their arrival. This marks a significant shift in previous practices, as refugees can now face arrest and detention while their cases are re-examined. The memo, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, outlines that detained refugees will undergo "inspections and examinations for admission," though it remains unclear how long they could be held. This move is part of a broader effort to tighten immigration pathways and scrutinize those granted legal status. In Minnesota alone, over 100 refugees were arrested last month and transferred to detention centers in Texas for interviews. The policy has sparked legal challenges, with federal judges ordering the release of detained refugees and halting further detentions in some cases. Additionally, the administration has reduced the annual refugee admissions cap from 125,000 under the Biden administration to just 7,500, prioritizing certain groups, such as white South Africans. This policy change raises concerns among advocates about its impact on refugees' lives and legal rights. The detention of individuals who have already been approved for entry highlights a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, potentially disrupting families and communities. As the administration continues to implement these measures, their implications for refugee resettlement in the U.S. remain a critical issue for both legal and humanitarian considerations.

Verticals

newsgeneral

Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/19/2026