Question 1

Is my refugee status at risk?

Accepted Answer

Refugees who have already been admitted have lawful status that cannot be changed by the Presidential order. Refugee status is "indefinite" and therefore does not expire. However, refugees should continue to apply for green cards as they become eligible if advised by their legal advisors, since the law that requires this has not changed. At the appropriate time, refugees may also apply for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen.

Question 2

How long will the resettlement program be suspended?

Accepted Answer

The executive order suspends refugee admissions until the President determines that resuming resettlement is in the interests of the United States. In the meantime, the order allows for individuals to be admitted on a case-by-case basis, at the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State.

The order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report to the President within 90 days determining whether resuming refugee resettlement would be in the interests of the United States.

Question 3

What does the Executive Order "Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program" mean for refugees overseas?

Accepted Answer

The executive order suspends refugee admissions to the U.S. after January 27, 2025. We are waiting for detailed guidance from our partners in the U.S. government about how they will implement this order and what this means for refugees with travel bookings after that date.

The executive order also suspends any new decisions on applications for refugee status.

Question 4

Does the executive order change where refugees can be resettled?

Accepted Answer

The order directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and Attorney General to examine how “state and local jurisdictions may have greater involvement in the process of determining the placement or resettlement of refugees in their jurisdictions.” We are waiting for detailed guidance from our partners in the U.S. government about how they will implement this and what this might mean for Alliance for Refugees.

Question 5

Does this mean my family member will not be able to come to the U.S. for the next four years?

Accepted Answer

We will need to wait to see how the new administration proceeds with family reunification cases, but individuals who are U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents have a right under law to petition for particular family members, and it would take a change in law by the Congress, not just a presidential decree, to eliminate this right. That said, it is possible that the new Trump administration could slow the processing of cases. World Relief will continue to advocate for policies that reunite families.

Question 6

What rights do non-citizens have?

Accepted Answer

Noncitizens have rights, including:
Not opening your door if an ICE or other law enforcement officer is at your door. You can ask to see a judicial warrant through the window or ask the officer to slide it under the door. If the warrant is not signed by a judge, or with your specific name and address on it, do not open the door.
When questioned by ICE, remaining silent or telling them that you want to talk to your attorney or DOJ accredited representative before answering their questions or providing any documentation. If you are not sure if the officer is from ICE or another agency, ask the officer.
Not signing anything without first speaking to an attorney or DOJ accredited representative. It is important not to sign anything or you may lose your right to meet with an attorney or attend an immigration hearing before being deported.
If you are outside, asking if you can leave, and leaving calmly if the officer says yes.
If you do not have lawful status, it is recommended not to carry documentation showing your country of origin. Do not carry false immigration documents.

Helpful Sites:
Red Cards – print your own or order for free. Available in 14 languages. Carry this card with you so you are prepared to exercise your rights.
How to Use Your Red Card – illustrated and multilingual
Know Your Rights and What Immigrant Families Should Do Now – available in 8 languages
A Guide to Workplace Rights for Immigrants – available in English and Spanish
A Guide to Your Rights When Interacting with Law Enforcement – available in 10 languages
Know Your Rights Tutorial Videos – available in 6 languages
Know Your Rights: Immigrant Rights – available in 16 languages; various scenarios
Know Your Rights: 100 Mile Border Zone – available in 9 languages

Question 7

Will people be deported? Who is at risk?

Accepted Answer

Refugees have lawful status and are not deportable, unless there are serious criminal issues, and even then, they would have an opportunity to apply for other protections if being deported to their country would make them more likely than not to be tortured or persecuted.

For individuals who have a temporary legal protection, such as Temporary Protected Status, parole, Deferred Action or Deferred Enforced Departure, it is possible that President Trump will follow through on campaign pledges to end some of these protections — but that will likely take time, and we anticipate legal challenges to his actions. The best advice we can give is to consult with a DOJ-accredited representative or an immigration attorney who can help you to understand your specific circumstances and risks — and to help pursue more permanent legal protections if you qualify. You can find World Relief's network of offices and affiliate sites with Immigration Legal Services at worldrelief.org/immigration-legal-services.

For individuals who are already in an immigration court proceeding, U.S. law ensures that you have due process, so you should not be at risk of deportation until your final immigration court proceeding — so long as you always show up for scheduled hearings. If you are scheduled for a hearing and do not already have legal representation, contact a low-cost removal defense provider. You can search for help at immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/. If you do not have time to find legal representation before your hearing, attend your hearing and ask the judge for more time to find counsel.

For those who are undocumented, who entered the United States without inspection or who overstayed a temporary visa, it is possible that the Trump administration could seek to begin removal proceedings, as he has pledged to do. However, the Trump administration’s ability to carry out this policy could be limited by the amount of funding appropriated by the U.S. Congress and legal challenges. Congress is very unlikely to appropriate the full amount of funding necessary to deport all undocumented immigrants. We urge you to familiarize yourself with your rights under U.S. law (review the Know Your Rights resources) and to consult with a DOJ-accredited representative or experienced immigration attorney to review if you have options for legal status under the law.

Question 8

How can my family and I prepare for increased immigration enforcement?

Accepted Answer

Here are some links to templates and other resources:
Family Preparedness Plan
Safety Planning 
Emergency Planning Guide – available in English and Spanish
Create an Emergency Plan - available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
Make a Plan: Essential Steps for Migrant Parents for Preventing Family Separation – available in English and Spanish

Question 9

What can I do if my loved one is detained by ICE?

Accepted Answer

Consult the plan
If your loved one provided you with an emergency preparedness plan, consult the plan and follow the action steps.

Locate them:
If you are not sure where they are being held, search the ICE Detainee Locator for persons 18 years or older. You will need their A-number (an 8 or 9 digit number assigned by the U.S. government) and country of birth, or all of the following: first name, last name, and country of birth (date of birth is optional). Please note the online Locator will only work if the information you input matches ICE’s information exactly.
When you locate your loved one, you can contact the detention facility to schedule calls or visits. The facility may only allow for virtual visits.
You can also ask the facility the processes for (1) setting up phone accounts for your loved one to call you, and (2) sending your loved one money for any food or basic necessities while in detention.

Exercise caution in conversations with them: If your loved one contacts you after apprehension by ICE, do not discuss their country of birth or immigration status over the phone. ICE can listen to these conversations. Your loved one should only discuss these topics, as well as any criminal history, with their attorney or DOJ Accredited Representative.

Connect them with legal assistance: If your loved one does not already have an experienced immigration law practitioner assisting them, contact a qualified practitioner to discuss how you can assist your loved one with obtaining representation while they are detained. Here is a nationwide directory of low-cost and free immigration legal service providers.

Check to see if they have a case pending before the Immigration Court:
Locate their immigration court hearing information at EOIR Automated Case Information by inputting their A-number. Keep checking this regularly if information does not appear initially.

Some individuals do not have a right to a hearing before the Immigration Court.
If your loved one has an outstanding removal order or prior removal from the U.S., they do not have a right to a hearing and can be deported without a hearing before the judge. You can check for outstanding removal orders and prior removals at EOIR Automated Case Information
If your loved one does not have lawful status and was convicted of an offense considered an aggravated felony under immigration law, they are not entitled to a hearing before removal.
However, if individuals in the above categories express a fear of return to their country, they are eligible for a Reasonable Fear Interview (RFI) with an Asylum Officer. If they pass the RFI, they can then seek protection from removal in immigration court.
Individuals who may be subject to expedited removal include those arrested at or near the border without permission to enter the U.S. In expedited removal proceedings, the individual does not have the right to a hearing before the immigration court. If the individual expresses a fear of returning to their country and pass a Credible Fear Interview, they will either move on to an immigration court hearing or an Asylum Merits Interview.
Expedited removal proceedings can happen very quickly, with very little time (often just a few hours) to obtain legal counsel.
Expedited removal is anticipated to expand under President Trump and could include individuals who entered without inspection and have been in the U.S. less than two years.
If your loved one may be subject to expedited removal, it is important that ICE receives evidence right away of their continuous presence in the U.S. for at least the two years prior to their apprehension.
Evidence of presence may include school records for them or their children, birth certificates of children born in the U.S., receipts, leases, utility bills, mail or other documentation with name, tax returns, and more. Do not submit items showing the detainee’s country of birth or immigration status unless they have lawful status.

Report raids: If your loved one was apprehended during an immigration raid to a workplace or other location, report this to your city or state’s rapid response network, if there is one. Some networks include:
Deportation & Immigration Response Equipo (DIRE) 
Search this list for other hotlines

Question 10

How can I find legal assistance?

Accepted Answer

It is important to consult with a person who is qualified to practice immigration law – either an attorney licensed in the U.S. or a Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited Representative. You can search for nonprofit, qualified practitioners in the World Relief Legal Support Network or National Immigration Legal Services Directory. You can also ask check the provider’s name on the DOJ Accredited Representatives Roster or ask to see their law license.

Beware of individuals and businesses that are not authorized to practice law. Here are some websites to help you avoid immigration scams and notario fraud:
Tips to Avoid Common Immigration Scams - available in 20 languages
Stop Notario Fraud - available in 7 languages
Resources for Victims of Notario Fraud

Question 11

Can President Trump really end birthright citizenship?

Accepted Answer

A U.S. president does not have the authority to end birthright citizenship. A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court or an amendment to the U.S. Constitution would be needed to end birthright citizenship (learn more here).

President Trump’s executive action about citizenship does not apply to individuals already born in the U.S. It seeks to exclude individuals from automatic citizenship if they are born in the U.S. on February 20, 2025, or after and fit into one of these categories:
A child whose mother is unlawfully present in the U.S. and whose father was not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth, or
A child whose mother has temporary authorization to reside in the U.S. and whose father was not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of the child’s birth.

Although President Trump’s executive order has already been challenged in court, it may be more difficult for individuals in the categories above to obtain proof of U.S. citizenship while the cases are pending.

The executive order directs government agencies to issue public guidance within 30 days of the order, so we will know more details in the coming weeks.

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