Refugee Green Card 'Freezing' Hit With Class Action Lawsuit
Summary
Six refugee organizations and four refugees filed a proposed class action in federal court in Massachusetts challenging three Trump administration policies affecting refugees’ green card applications and status. The plaintiffs seek to block the policies, including an indefinite pause on some applications and a reduction in the response period for proposed status terminations from 30 days to 10; the court has not certified the proposed class.Key Facts
- The lawsuit challenges policies issued by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- A November 21, 2025, USCIS memorandum paused pending green card applications from refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025.
- The memorandum also called for reviews and possible re-interviews of refugees admitted during that period.
- The plaintiffs argue the policies violate federal immigration and administrative law and constitutional due-process protections.
- The plaintiffs requested emergency relief, including an immediate pause of the 10-day response rule.
- The proposed nationwide class would cover refugees who had not received lawful permanent resident status as of October 14, 2026; plaintiffs say it could include tens of thousands of people.
- The four individual plaintiffs are refugees from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Colombia and Iraq who have applied for permanent residence.
- The six organizational plaintiffs include HIAS, Refugee Council USA and four other refugee-support groups.
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