Trump administration halts travel for refugees cleared for US resettlement

The Trump administration has cancelled travel plans for thousands of refugees who had been approved to resettle in the United States before a 27 January deadline. The decision leaves many stranded across the globe, raising concerns over the impact on vulnerable populations.

The suspension stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday, January 20, which temporarily halts America’s refugee resettlement programme. While the order had suggested that refugees already approved and scheduled to travel before the cut-off date might still be allowed entry, the administration has now clarified otherwise.

In an email reviewed by the Associated Press, the US agency responsible for refugee processing and resettlement informed staff and partners that “refugee arrival to the United States have been suspended until further notice.”
The announcement highlights the immediate effects of the executive order, which has sparked widespread debate about the United States’ stance on immigration and its commitments to humanitarian aid.

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