U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched a sweeping new initiative that directly affects individuals holding USCIS refugee status who were admitted to the United States between January 21, 2021 and February 20, 2025. As part of this effort, USCIS has stopped processing green card applications for refugees and asylees. Additionally, USCIS has begun re-reviewing previously approved refugee cases nationwide.
PARRIS Program: USCIS Reexamines Refugee Admissions
On January 9, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that it has begun reexamining refugee approvals under a program known as PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening). The review began in Minnesota. Initially, it targets approximately 5,600 refugees who have not yet adjusted status to lawful permanent residents.
USCIS has stated that a newly expanded vetting center in Atlanta is leading this effort. The review will expand beyond Minnesota to other states.
Detentions Reported During USCIS Review
USCIS has publicly acknowledged the detention of at least two refugees as a result of the review. The agency identified the individuals as a Somali national and a Burmese national, labeling one as a felon and security risk. However, USCIS has not provided details regarding the basis for detention, location of custody, or duration of detention.
What the Status Review Means
Although USCIS has framed this initiative as a fraud-prevention effort, available reporting and agency statements suggest a far broader and more aggressive reassessment of refugee legal status.
USCIS appears to be reexamining:
- Terrorism-Related Inadmissibility Grounds (TRIG)
- The persecutor bar
- Other mandatory or discretionary bars to admission
- Credibility determinations
- Whether the principal applicant and derivatives met the legal definition of a refugee at the time of admission
Internal USCIS Memo Orders Nationwide Refugee Case Action
On November 21, 2025, USCIS Director Joe Edlow issued an internal memo directing officers to review and potentially re-interview all refugee approvals issued during the 2021–2025 period. This impacts an estimated 200,000 individuals holding U.S. refugee status.
The memo also orders an immediate halt on adjudicating all adjustment of status applications filed by refugees, their derivatives, and follow-to-join family members admitted during this timeframe.
Executive Order 14163 and Potential Termination of Refugee Status
The memo relies on Executive Order 14163, which realigns the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and emphasizes admitting only refugees deemed able to assimilate into the United States.
USCIS has stated that this review may result in termination of refugee status if officers determine that eligibility was lacking at the time of admission.
Key Takeaways for Refugees and Asylees
- USCIS has up to 90 days to identify priority cases for re-interview, but all refugee approvals during this period may be reviewed
- Reexamination of igibility under INA § 101(a)(42) and inadmissibility grounds under INA § 212
- Scrutiny of waivers granted at admission, particularly those involving the persecutor bar
- Possible termination of refugee status under INA § 207.9 if there is ineligibility
- All pending green card applications for affected refugees are currently on hold
- Refugees who have already obtained green cards may also be subject to review
- Requests to lift the green card processing hold require approval at the highest levels of USCIS
This is an unprecedented action affecting individuals who were already vetted and resettled through a multi-agency process involving the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security.
How Shepelsky Law Group Protects Refugee Status
If you hold USCIS refugee status or were admitted as a refugee or asylee between January 21, 2021 and February 20, 2025, your immigration status may now be at serious risk. Early legal intervention can make the difference between protection and removal.
Shepelsky Law Group has extensive experience representing refugees, asylees, and humanitarian immigrants facing USCIS re-reviews, interviews, detention risk, and green card delays.
📞 Call now to protect your refugee status and your future: 718-769-6352
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Do not wait for USCIS to take action against your case. Speak with Shepelsky Law Group today for experienced legal guidance and strong, proactive advocacy.