Green Card Applications Paused for Select Groups Under Trump Administration
The U.S. immigration system is experiencing significant shifts, with a series of recent policy changes affecting a wide range of individuals. These include asylum seekers, refugees, unaccompanied children, and migrants in detention. These changes reflect a broader push towards enhanced vetting, stricter enforcement, and increased data sharing between government agencies.
Enhanced Vetting and Green Card Processing Delays
While refugees and asylees have already undergone extensive screening processes, this new policy imposes additional layers of vetting. These include expanded digital and social media checks. This leads to significant delays and uncertainty for thousands of applicants. For individuals who have spent years in the U.S. and were on the verge of obtaining lawful permanent residency, this pause effectively puts their lives in limbo.
Unaccompanied Children and Information Sharing
In a separate development, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has published an interim final rule (IFR) that amends the regulations governing the care of unaccompanied children (UACs). The most contentious part of this new rule is the removal of a prohibition on sharing the immigration status information of UACs and their potential sponsors with law enforcement and immigration enforcement agencies. Critics argue that this policy creates a “chilling effect.” It deters undocumented family members from coming forward to sponsor children out of fear of deportation. The IFR prioritizes enforcement over child welfare. This move has drawn strong opposition from child advocacy groups and legal organizations.
The Crisis of Disappearing Detainees
This lack of transparency and communication is a systemic issue. It underscores the profound challenges and emotional distress faced by families navigating the U.S. immigration and detention systems. It also raises serious concerns about due process and the right to information for detainees.
