President Donald Trump issued an executive order on his first day back in office to suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for at least four months, a move that has raised concerns among refugee advocates. The suspension, announced Jan. 20, led to an immediate halt in the resettlement of 1,660 Afghan refugees, including unaccompanied children hoping to reunite with families in the U.S., according to media reports.
The order, titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” cited concerns about the country’s capacity to absorb large numbers of migrants. “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,” the order stated.
The suspension has particularly affected Afghan refugees fleeing retaliation from the Taliban for supporting the former U.S.-backed Afghan government. Among them were unaccompanied children who had already been approved for resettlement in the U.S., according to Reuters.
The order pointed to record migration levels during the Biden administration, citing federal assistance needed in cities like New York, Chicago, and Denver to manage new arrivals. New York and Massachusetts had declared states of emergency due to the strain on resources, Trump wrote.
The president further argued that taxpayer resources should be preserved for American citizens and emphasized public safety and national security as “paramount considerations” in administrating the refugee program. Refugees would only be admitted if they could “fully and appropriately assimilate into the United States,” though the order did not elaborate on what “assimilate” meant.
“This order suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States,” the order read.
Advocates for refugee rights, however, have raised concerns arguing the suspension leaves vulnerable families, including those from Afghanistan, stranded in perilous situations.
The suspension will take effect on Jan. 27, with an exception allowing refugees to be admitted on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security. Yet, those exceptions are limited to individuals who pose no threat to U.S. security or welfare and whose admission serves the country’s national interests.
Trump’s order marks the latest step in his administration’s efforts to realign U.S. immigration policy, prioritizing national security and public safety.
Evangelical leaders pled for compassionate approach to refugees fleeing persecution
The executive order was issued despite a plea by national evangelical leaders who have called on the administration to adopt a more compassionate approach to refugees, especially Christians fleeing persecution. “We should be a place of refuge for those facing life-threatening situations,” evangelical leaders have said in an appeal days before the inauguration, as earlier reported by Christian Daily International.
World Relief issued a press release on Jan. 14 announcing that “A Christian Statement on Refugee Resettlement” had been sent to Trump. The statement was signed by leaders of the National Association of Evangelicals, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, state-level conservative Christian advocacy organizations, and advocates for persecuted Christians worldwide.
The statement referenced Trump’s first term, during which he allowed a maximum of 50,000 refugees in his initial week of office. Signatories called on him “to once again set the ceiling for refugee admissions at that level or higher, consistent with his commitments both to secure borders and to religious liberty and opportunity for all.”
“We are grateful for President-elect Trump’s commitment to ensuring that our nation’s borders are strong and secure. We also appreciate and affirm his recent call to ensure systems so that immigrants ‘with love for the country’ are able to ‘come in legally,’” the statement noted at the time, quoting a previous comment by Trump.
The leaders praised the U.S. refugee resettlement program for prioritizing persecuted Christians and other refugees fleeing harm and emphasized that Trump had previously expressed support for these efforts.
“President Trump can lead the nation in rescuing persecuted Christians, as well as believers of other faiths, by maintaining and strengthening the U.S. refugee resettlement program,” said Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
“As the son of a refugee from North Korea, I am alive today because my father was given refuge in South Korea and immigrated to the United States. Evangelical Christians stand ready to partner with the Trump administration to welcome persecuted refugees, knowing that by doing so we are obeying and serving our Lord.”
According to Open Doors U.S., a charity advocating for persecuted Christians, 29,493 persecuted Christians from 50 countries were resettled in the United States in 2024.
“At a time when Christians around the world are living under unprecedented threat of persecution, a continued commitment to walking with our brothers and sisters is vital,” said Ryan Brown, president and CEO of Open Doors U.S.
“I’m thankful for President Trump’s strong advocacy for the persecuted church and believe a critical piece of that support can be demonstrated through sustaining the U.S. refugee resettlement program.”
The statement also highlighted the economic contributions of refugees to the United States and the pivotal role churches have played in supporting and integrating them. Data from Lifeway Research showed that 71% of respondents believe receiving refugees is a moral obligation for the U.S.
“The U.S. refugee resettlement program has long been a vital way that the United States has stood alongside those who are persecuted, including because of their faith in Jesus, and thousands of American churches have been a part of welcoming refugees. As President Trump takes office, evangelical Christians urge him to sustain the refugee resettlement program,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief.
