Federal Refugee & Immigration Policy Changes
- Katie Dillon
- Dec 17
- 2 min read
The federal government recently announced policy changes that could impact over 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers currently living in the United States.
This could impact up to 3,000 individuals and families served by CCC in Virginia, including 1,100 individuals who supported U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
At best, this is traumatic for families who have already endured years of exhaustive vetting. At worst, it could lead to the deportation of legal refugees back to the very countries they escaped.
Summary of the new policy changes
A hold on all green card applications for refugees admitted between January 2021 and February 2025. Refugees admitted during this period, and individuals who received green cards during this timeframe, will have their cases reviewed. Some may be required to re-interview and the possibility of status termination and removal proceedings.
Suspension of all visas for Afghan nationals, including Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants.
A hold on processing asylum applications.
A hold on all pending immigration requests from individuals from 19 travel-ban countries (including Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Haiti, and Venezuela). The order could impact petitions for travel documents, work authorizations, family-based immigration, and naturalization. Like other refugees admitted under the previous administration, refugees from these countries are also subject to case review and potential re-interview and may face deportation.
As always, CCC stands firmly with our refugee and immigrant neighbors and clients.
Our immigration team is prepared to guide refugees through this process and will provide case consultations and legal support for anyone required to undergo re-interview.
Our resettlement staff will continue delivering the services our clients rely on every day: housing and employment support, health care system navigation, English classes, financial education, and much more.
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