How Trump’s Policies are Affecting Refugees
Written By: Anna Zhang
Overview
Ever since Trump took office again on January 20, 2025, America has been seeing a number of changes. New laws are being passed, policies being implemented, and we no longer have a concrete idea of what America looks like anymore. However, President Trump's policies do not just affect Americans—they also raise serious consequences for refugees around the world. Many of the new laws and executive actions directly harm refugee populations, raising urgent humanitarian and ethical concerns.
Terminating Biden’s Humanitarian Parole Program
On May 30, 2025, the Trump administration decided to terminate a humanitarian parole program implemented by the Biden administration in 2022, a decision allowed by the Supreme Court. This humanitarian parole program allowed hundreds of thousands of immigrants and refugees from different countries to not only reside in the United States, but also work there while their immigration cases were being processed. According to the Trump Administration, these migrants are a threat to the country, and by terminating this program, the country will be able to prioritize Americans first. However, not only are refugees fleeing their home countries impacted, but immigrants that entered America through this program had their temporary legal residency revoked. They may be deported and sent back to their home country, which for most refugees, is harmful and not safe at the moment. By terminating the Biden administration’s Humanitarian Parole Program, more than 500,000+ refugees and immigrants alike are affected.
People at a protest supporting immigrants in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla
Photographer: Maya Washburn/Palm Beach Post
Suspension of the CBP One App
On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration suspended the use of the CBP One application, which allowed lottery picked refugees and migrants to be processed at U.S. border ports of entry. By cancelling and suspending the app, more than 30,000 migrants are now left in dangerous conditions where they could be subject to kidnapping, torture, and more. According to the organization Human Rights First, “...this move will fuel chaos and disorder by spurring people whose lives and safety are at risk to cross between ports of entry, only to then subject them to punitive criminal prosecution, incarceration, and likely deportation to persecution…”. Without the application, refugees are more likely to turn to desperate solutions which may be unsafe and dangerous, putting thousands of lives in danger.
Maria Mercado’s appointment was canceled on the CBP one app, and she and her family are forced to wait to enter the United States
Photographer: Gregory Bull
Suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Program
On January 27, 2025, the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) was indefinitely suspended by the Trump administration. This is not the first time President Trump has done this—back in 2017, he also temporarily suspended the program for 120 days. Refugees already scheduled to travel to the United States and went through meticulous processes by the US government would have their flights canceled. There are currently 200,000+ refugees waiting on the refugee resettlement pipeline. By suspending this program, many refugees will be separated from their families and remain exposed to unsafe conditions in their home country for who knows how long. By halting USRAP, the administration has shut down tens of thousands of refugees who had already undergone years of extensive background checks. Many of these individuals were on the verge of being resettled when the program was abruptly paused, leaving them stranded in dangerous conditions with limited resources. The suspension damages the country’s reputation and claim as a leader in humanitarian protection, and has especially impacted vulnerable populations, such as women and children, who have nowhere safe to go anymore.
Refugees protesting the suspension of USRAP in Pakistan
Photographer: Anjum Naveed
Conclusion
The policies implemented by President Trump's administration in 2025 have affected refugees severely. By cutting funding for humanitarian programs, reinstating restrictive measures, and deporting hundreds of thousands of people, these actions have not only disrupted countless lives but also challenged the United States' commitment to aiding those in need. As these policies continue to arise, they raise important and critical questions about the nation's role in providing refugee support.
