What do the new immigration executive orders mean for refugees and immigrants?

In the first week of the new presidential administration, a series of immigration executive orders and proclamations were signed that will have significant and harmful effects on refugees and other immigrants. With so much happening so quickly, we want you to have a clear understanding of these changes in migration policy and the real, personal impact they will make on families in our communities.

Here are key immigration executive orders and proclamations and how they will affect refugees and other immigrants.

What do the new executive orders mean for refugees and other immigrants?

The White House has instituted sweeping policy changes in its first week, including:

• Indefinite pause of refugee resettlement
• Reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) known as “Remain in Mexico” program, border wall construction, and deployment of personnel to the southern border
• Changes in interior enforcement including broadening of who is a priority for removal or deportation
• Attempt to end birthright citizenship

Read on to learn more.

Indefinite Pause of Refugee Resettlement

What It Does: President Trump’s executive order, entitled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” indefinitely suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions program (USRAP). As part of the order, the Secretaries of Homeland Security and State will submit a reportto the President within 90 days on whether to resume the USRAP.

What It Means: Essentially no refugees will be resettled into the United States for at least 90 days—and likely longer—though there may be case-by-case exceptions.

How Refugees Are Affected: Thousands of refugees who were already approved for resettlement in the United States have had their flights canceled, and virtually all processing of refugees (including applications and resettlement decisions) has stopped completely. Fortunately, though, refugees who have already been resettled in the United States through the USRAP will not be affected.

Reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” Program, Border Wall Construction, and Deployment of Personnel to the Southern Border

What It Does: The “Securing Our Borders” executive order also includes provisions that call for:

• Reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols, also known as “Remain in Mexico,” which required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico (often in extremely dangerous conditions) while their asylum applications were being processed in the United States
• Resuming construction of the border wall
• Deploying additional personnel to the southern border

What It Means: The United States is externalizing its asylum obligations by relying on other countries, removing oversight and control beyond our borders and subjecting asylum seekers to danger and extortion—all while militarizing the border on the U.S. side.

How Immigrants Are Affected: Those waiting at the southern border will likely have to remain in Mexico, vulnerable to theft, abuse, extortion, and other targeted harm, while their asylum cases are adjudicated—if they are able to make asylum claims at all. Meanwhile, the border will become increasingly militarized, sowing fear for those seeking safety.

Changes in Interior Enforcement Including Broadening of who is a Priority for Removal or Deportation

What It Does: The White House issued an extensive executive order on interior enforcement entitled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” This is a massive order that rescinds many of President Biden’s immigration policies and puts many new policies in place, notably:

• Calling for the expansion of detention and detention facilities, directing DHS to use all available resources to build new detention facilities and detain individuals until their removal proceedings
• Broadening who is a priority for deportation
• Directing review of Temporary Protected Status, Work Authorization, and Parole
• Encourages the deputizing of state and local law enforcement for immigration enforcement and requires DHS to provide greater information sharing with law enforcement
• Hiring additional ICE and Border Patrol officers

Guidance was also rescinded in the first week of the administration that designated areas such as churches, schools, and hospitals as sensitive locations/protected areas where enforcement was not permitted except in exceptional circumstances.

What It Means: Increased enforcement by state, federal and local law enforcement is expected and already occurring in some communities.

How Immigrants Are Affected: Ending guidance on certain protected areas also will lead to immigrant families being less likely to attend schools, hospitals, and places of worship—key pillars of daily life. Fear of enforcement and social isolation are undoubtedly facing  immigrant communities throughout the U.S.

Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship

What It Does: The Trump administration issued an executive order entitled “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” which attempts to end birthright citizenship—the practice of automatically granting U.S. citizenship to children upon their birth.

What It Means: Babies born 30 days after January 20th, to undocumented mothers and fathers, mothers in the United States on a temporary visa and undocumented fathers, or undocumented mothers and fathers in the U.S. on a temporary visa would no longer automatically become U.S. citizens.

How Immigrants and New Babies Are Affected: This order is blatantly unconstitutional, as the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, and has already been paused by a judge while it is litigated—so at the moment, there will be no change in policy.

What can I do to help immigrants and refugees right now?

Global Refuge is working tirelessly to support families in crisis right now—and we have seen an outpouring of love and concern for the future of our immigrant and refugee neighbors. During this challenging time, you—our partners, supporters, and donors—will serve as a lifeline for us and the families who urgently need our support.

Here’s how you can help:

• Advocate: Use your voice to champion the work of welcome and speak out against harmful policies. Stay tuned to our advocacy hub at globalrefuge.org/actnow for resources and action alerts.
• Volunteer: Whether you are an individual, a community, company, or a faith-based group, there are many ways to get involved in the work of welcome. Learn more at globalrefuge.org/get-involved.
• Pray: Our faith relations team created The Welcome the Stranger Worship Order to share stories of newcomers in a sacred and celebratory way. Download the worship order and find other resources for congregations at globalrefuge.org/congregations.
• Give: Your gifts will help us advocate for immigrant and refugee rights, protect children, and expand our programs to accommodate a growing need for our services. Make a gift at globalrefuge.org/givetoday.

With your help, Global Refuge will lead the way in ensuring families are protected in the wake of new immigration executive orders. The changes happening right now threaten the lives of thousands of families and the very values that our country stands for. This is a moment for action, and we need you by our side.