The Trump administration has canceled all flights scheduled to bring refugees into the United States in the coming days, according to an internal State Department memo.
This move is part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten immigration policies and reinforce national security, following a sweeping executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office.
READ: President Trump Takes Bold Steps On Day One: “Promises Made, Promises Kept”
“All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being canceled, and no new travel bookings will be made,” the memo stated. “Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time.”
The cancellations come in advance of the formal implementation of Trump’s executive order, which temporarily suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) starting at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 27.
President Trump’s executive order, issued as part of his day-one agenda to “restore law and order” and “protect American communities,” temporarily halts refugee resettlement until a thorough review of the program can be conducted.
“The United States lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees,” said Trump. “This order suspends the USRAP until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States.”
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The refugee flight cancellations are the latest in a series of swift actions undertaken by the Trump administration to address immigration concerns. On his first day in office, President Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at:
- Deploying 1,500 additional active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Expanding expedited deportation measures, allowing for the rapid removal of undocumented immigrants.
- Revoking all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) hiring practices within federal agencies, focusing instead on merit-based immigration policies.
- Directing federal agencies to prioritize border security as a core mission, with the Department of Defense taking an enhanced role in immigration enforcement.
The administration has also warned local jurisdictions that fail to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agencies that they could face legal action from the Department of Justice. RELATED: DOJ Targets Local Officials Who Are Non-Cooperative On Trump’s Immigration Policy
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