US USCIS and US ICE order refugees to obtain green cards within one year
Change
US USCIS and US ICE ordered in a Feb. 18 memo that refugees must obtain lawful permanent resident status within one year of arrival or present themselves to immigration authorities to avoid detention.
Why it matters
The policy compresses the time available to resolve refugees' immigration status, creating faster deadlines for adjustment-of-status filings and more frequent mandatory agency interactions. Coupled with reopened reviews of prior refugee admissions and a reduced admissions cap, it narrows durable pathways for resettlement and increases enforcement touchpoints.
Implications
- • Immigration attorneys and accredited representatives must file adjustment-of-status applications for refugee clients within one year of those clients' U.S. arrival or advise clients to present themselves to USCIS or ICE to meet the new requirement.
- • US resettlement agencies and nongovernmental organizations must prioritize notifying newly arrived refugees about the one-year status deadline and assist with filing or scheduling agency check-ins.
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Source
Topics
Policy & Regulation Migration Human Rights Regulatory Actions Compliance