Tag

#refugees

Incidents affecting persons who have fled their country due to persecution, conflict, or violence. Covers violations of the 1951 Refugee Convention, denial of refugee protections, and actions endangering refugee populations.

5 incidents

Grade 3 of 5: Serious Rights Violation

ICE Directed to Detain Lawfully Admitted Refugees Who Lack Green Cards After One Year (February 2026)

The administration told ICE it may arrest and hold refugees, who were vetted for years before admission, simply because they have not yet obtained green cards a year after arrival, even though the government itself has frozen many green-card applications. Refugees and resettlement agencies sued; as of mid-September 2026 the case was at cross-motions for summary judgment, with no final ruling.

Grade 3 of 5: Serious Rights Violation

Matter of A-B-: Sessions Declares Domestic- and Gang-Violence Asylum Claims Will 'Generally' Fail (2018)

Sessions used his power to rewrite immigration precedent to declare that people fleeing domestic or gang violence will generally not qualify for asylum. Its standards were applied at the border to screen people out before they could make their case; federal courts held key parts of that screening policy unlawful, and the decision was vacated in 2021.

Grade 2 of 5: Major Abuse of Power

First-Term Refugee Cuts and Executive Order 13888: Record-Low Ceilings and a State and Local Veto Courts Held Likely Unlawful

The first Trump administration cut refugee admissions to the lowest ceilings since the 1980 Refugee Act, and by executive order let states and localities veto refugee resettlement. Two federal courts held the veto likely unlawful under the Refugee Act and blocked it. The ceilings themselves were a lawful use of presidential discretion.