- Lawful refugees who have not secured permanent residency within a year of arrival can now be detained by ICE for re-screening.
- The administration cites the need for rigorous vetting to identify potential fraud and national security threats among legal immigrants.
- A government memo suggests refugees can “voluntarily” appear for interviews at immigration offices to avoid forceful apprehension.
The landscape for legal immigration in the United States has undergone a drastic transformation as the administration intensifies its scrutiny of non-citizens.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Trump administration has issued a new directive granting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) broader authority to detain lawful refugees who have yet to obtain green cards.
EDITORS’ PICK:
- BREAKING: President Bola Tinubu Signs Amended Electoral Act 2026 Into Law
- Lagos State Declares Permanent Ban on Unregulated ‘Korope’ Minibuses Along Lekki-Epe Expressway
- FMC Epe’s Historic Orthopaedic Surgeries Earn Commendation from Rep. Wale Raji
According to a government memo dated February 18, 2026, refugees who have lived in the U.S. for over a year without formalizing their permanent residency must now undergo intensive re-screening.
This targets individuals who were previously granted safe haven after fleeing persecution, placing them back into government custody to verify their eligibility and conduct additional security background checks.
The directive, issued by acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, marks a significant departure from historical practices where refugees were largely left to integrate once admitted.
This policy creates a state of legal limbo for thousands of immigrants who have already undergone years of vetting in overseas camps.
However, the administration maintains that the measures are necessary to ensure that those residing within U.S. borders do not pose a risk to public safety.
This latest crackdown follows a string of executive actions aimed at dismantling parole-based immigration programs and increasing the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration duties.
As the administration continues to push for what it calls “the largest mass deportation in history,” legal challenges from advocacy groups are expected to flood federal courts in the coming weeks.
FURTHER READING
