On January 24, the U.S. Department of State ordered the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants to stop all work performed under its Reception and Placement grant for refugee resettlement. Other organizations received similar notices. This “stop work” order from the State Department is a devastating development for refugees who are already in the United […]
Category: Statement
USCRI Summary of January 20 Executive Orders
On January 20, 2025, the White House released a series of Executive Orders that regress the immigration system with immediate impact on refugees and immigrants. The new orders display a renouncement of the United State’s role as a stronghold of safety and protection for the displaced. The following is a summary of six Executive Orders […]
USCRI Concerned About Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, Urges the Administration to Prevent Climate-Induced Displacement
The Administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement will exacerbate the climate emergency. As temperatures rise and large swathes of land become unhabitable, more and more people will be driven from their homes, forced to seek safety elsewhere. For the increasing numbers of people who will find themselves fleeing climate-related environmental disasters, there […]
USCRI Condemns the Administration’s Move to End Birthright Citizenship, Denying Equal Rights for Children
On January 20, the Administration directed the U.S. government to stop issuing U.S. citizenship documents, including passports, to children born to parents who are in the United States unlawfully or temporarily. Executive Order “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship” ends U.S. birthright citizenship and is set to strip nationality rights from children who […]
Proclamation “Guaranteeing the States Protection Against Invasion” Bars Asylum Seekers and Others from Entry at the Southern Border
On January 20, the Administration declared an “invasion” of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Proclamation allows the Administration to suspend the physical entry of individuals into the United States across the southern border. As part of the Proclamation, the Administration signaled that it would halt asylum applications and other forms of relief for individuals […]
The Administration Stops Temporary Humanitarian Protection Pathway for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
On January 20, the Administration terminated the CHNV humanitarian parole program, ending a program that granted temporary humanitarian protection to Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals with U.S.-based sponsors. Executive Order “Securing Our Borders” leaves open the possibility for the Secretary of Homeland Security to terminate other parole programs. Furthermore, Executive Order “Protecting the American […]
USCRI Denounces Resumption of the Migrant Protection Protocols: A Cruel Abandonment of Asylum Seekers in Mexico
On January 20, the Administration announced that asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border would again be required to wait in Mexico while their asylum cases were processed in the United States. This policy will take effect “as soon as practicable,” creating uncertainty for asylum seekers in Mexico. This change signals a return to Migrant […]
USCRI Condemns the Administration’s Indefinite Suspension of Refugee Resettlement to the United States
On January 20, the Administration announced an indefinite suspension of refugee resettlement starting on January 27, 2025. Refugees will be blocked from entering the country indefinitely despite having been thoroughly vetted and approved for travel. Through Executive Order “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” the Administration also announced that it will suspend decisions on […]
Protections Extended for Individuals from El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela
On January 10, the Administration announced extensions of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible individuals from El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) applauds these extensions as a critical tool to provide stability and protection for nearly one million people whose home countries are experiencing extreme hardships including […]
USCRI Honors Former President Jimmy Carter
This week, we honor and remember former President Jimmy Carter, whose unwavering commitment to humanitarian service has left an indelible mark on our nation’s history. President Carter was a steadfast defender of forcibly displaced people and a passionate advocate for the refugee program. On March 17, 1980, he signed the 1980 Refugee Act, a landmark […]
