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BREAKING: Take Action to Decry Trump Administration’s Cruel, Unlawful Rule Paving the Way to Terminate Refugee Status for Resettled Refugees

Background: On October 14th, the Trump administration is published an “interim final rule” (IFR) that significantly reduces from 30 days to 10 days the notice of intent to terminate refugee status. This rule took effect that same day and means that refugees have no meaningful opportunity to respond to the federal government’s efforts to terminate their refugee status, making them vulnerable to deportation to places where their lives are in danger.

UPDATE: On October 27, a federal judge temporarily blocked the implementation of this rule in a lawsuit brought by Democracy Forward, IRAP, and pro bono counsel, challenging the interim final rule, the refugee green card application adjudication freeze, and the broader refugee re-vetting effort.

If you received a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) between October 14 and October 27, you are not required to respond to that notice through December 4. The government cannot end your refugee status because you did not respond to any NOIT issued during this period. The rule is blocked through December 4, 2026. For more information, click here.

Plaintiffs include Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, International Institute of New England, African Communities Together (ACT), HIAS, Refugee Council USA, and four individuals from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Colombia, and Iraq. To learn more about the lawsuit, click here.

This unprecedented action marks a dramatic departure from U.S. law and longstanding humanitarian commitments. It represents a severe threat to the safety, stability, and dignity of people who fled persecution, conflict, or violence and to whom our country promised freedom, safety, and a permanent new home. We recognize that this rule is devastating to the refugee community who have spent the last several years rebuilding their lives in safety and become cherished neighbors. 

This rule follows a series of directives from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), ordering a sweeping review of more than 200,000 individuals admitted to the United States through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) during the previous administration. Reopening their cases is already a cruel, wasteful exercise, retraumatizing refugees already subject to this “re-vetting” process and serves only as pretext to remove refugees to countries where their lives may be in danger or they face persecution. 

Right now is a critical time to ensure the Trump administration hears a swift and powerful response that refugees are welcome in our communities. Urge your elected leaders to:

  • Hold the administration accountable to rescind the interim final rule and halt any actions that would terminate refugee status, including the unnecessary re-vetting of refugees who are already among the most vetted individuals to arrive in the United States. 
  • Pressure DHS and USCIS to immediately and fully resume processing of refugee I-485 green card applications and create a clear mechanism for members of Congress to request expedited processing particularly for individuals with severe medical conditions.
  • Speak out publicly and do everything in their power to safeguard their refugee communities. 

We want all Americans who came to this country seeking safety to know that we will not stop speaking out and hope to uplift your voices in any way we can.

Click on the right-hand side to input your information to send an email directly to your elected leaders.

Submit a Comment in the Federal Register

Although litigation in PANA v. Edlow has resulted in a temporary court order blocking implementation and enforcement of the rule, the “public comment” process remains a separate opportunity for communities to document the rule’s potential consequences and urge DHS to restore the 30-day response period.

Through this “public comment” process, you may inform the Trump administration directly about the impact this rule would have on your community. We encourage you to submit your own unique comment to the Federal Register, opposing the interim final rule by November 13, 2026. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  1. Read the Interim Final Rule in the federal register.
  2. Copy and use/adapt this grassroots template comment to draft your own (it is important to make it unique to you/your own perspective).
  3. Submit your public comment through Regulations.gov Docket number: USCIS-2026-0397 by November 13, 2026 (either paste your comment into the blank space or write in the box “please see attached” and upload your comment as a pdf file).

RCUSA’s statement in response to the lawsuit is available here and to the IFR, here. Click here for a letter signed by more than 600 Jewish clergy opposing the rule.

AfghanEvac’s explainer is available here. Sample messaging and talking points is available here. AILA’s practice alert is available here.

For more information, please check out IRAP’s Explainer, Revetting Toolkit (for legal practitioners), Refugee Revetting and Detention resources (for impacted communities), “What is refugee revetting?” (translations in progress), and “I received a “Notice of Intent to Terminate” my refugee status. What does this mean?” (translations in progress).