In a swift move reflecting the immediate impact of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, the Trump administration has canceled travel plans for thousands of refugees previously scheduled to resettle in the United States. According to a memo from the State Department, which was obtained by CNN, all previously scheduled travel is being canceled, and no new bookings will be made. This decision affects approximately 10,000 refugees who underwent a lengthy and arduous vetting process.

The memo indicates that "all previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made," along with halting any travel requests for additional refugee cases. This suspension poses significant challenges for those refugees whose medical exams or security clearances are nearing expiration, potentially requiring them to restart an exhaustive application process.

The cancellation comes in response to Trump's executive order suspending all refugee admissions, asserting that the U.S. cannot absorb the recent influx of migrants. The order was set to take effect on January 27, although the memo implies the suspension occurs immediately, marking a significant tightening of the U.S. refugee program.

This policy change has further implications: not only has refugee case processing been halted, but all pre-departure activities are also suspended. The memo explicitly instructs Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) to cease moving refugees to transit centers and to halt all activities tied to refugee case processing. Importantly, exceptions are being made for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, including individuals who assisted U.S. military efforts abroad, allowing them to continue their travel to the U.S.

As many as 1,600 Afghan refugees, especially those who aided American forces during the Afghanistan conflict, are among those impacted and have expressed distress over this abrupt suspension of their resettlement process. The cancellation of flights and case processing has dashed the hopes of many refugees who had anticipated beginning new lives in the United States after being cleared for resettlement prior to this executive order.

The humanitarian community has expressed widespread criticism of the administration's abrupt policy change, with advocacy groups highlighting the dire consequences for vulnerable populations seeking refuge. The cancellation of refugee travel not only impacts individual lives but also aligns with a broader pattern of restrictive immigration practices adopted by the Trump administration, marking a pivotal shift that echoes throughout U.S. immigration discourse.

For further details, please refer to the original articles by CNN and India Times.