Refugee resettlement

ALERT: On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order 14163, Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program. Section 3(a) of the Executive Order suspended entry of refugees into the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) as of January 27, 2025, unless an exception under section 3(c) applies.

The Presidential Determination establishes the overall admissions levels and regional allocations of all refugees for the upcoming fiscal year.

Under United States law, you are eligible to be approved for refugee status and resettlement in the United States as a refugee, if you are: Located outside of the United States Of "special humanitarian concern" to the United States (see INA § 207(c)(1)); Able to demonstrate that you were persecuted or have a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and/or membership in a particular social group; Not subject to a mandatory bar; and Admissible to the United States

A refugee does not include anyone who ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. A refugee also does not include anyone who is firmly resettled in another country.

You must receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to be considered for resettlement as a refugee in the United States.

Eligibility for refugee status is determined on a case-by-case basis following an interview with a specially trained USCIS officer.

USCIS officers also complete background and security checks and review and analyze the results of these checks. If you are approved, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the final authority to admit you as a refugee when you arrive at a port of entry in the United States.

Your case may include your legally recognized spouse, your children (if they are unmarried and under 21-  years-  old), and, in some extremely limited circumstances, other family members.

As an admitted refugee, you may legally work in the United States as soon as you arrive.

If you are admitted as a refugee, you must apply for a Permanent Resident Card, also known as a “Green Card,” one year after you arrive in the United States.

You must receive a referral to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to be considered for resettlement as a refugee in the United States.

Eligibility for refugee status is determined on a case-by-case basis following an interview with a specially trained USCIS officer.

USCIS officers also complete background and security checks and review and analyze the results of these checks. If you are approved, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the final authority to admit you as a refugee when you arrive at a port of entry in the United States.