Preparing for the Unknown: Immigration, Refugee Policy, and Building a Humane Future
Photo: Nick Fewings
As we approach a new chapter in our nation’s leadership, the future of immigration and refugee policy is uncertain. Immigration and the Southern border is of primary importance to voters across the country, but how it will be specifically addressed remains unclear.
Having worked in the immigration and refugee space in different capacities – international (the UN Refugee Agency), local (Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area - LSSNCA), and national policy (Women’s Refugee Commission), I’ve seen how those in office – both the administration and Congress – have rippling effects on domestic and international immigration. Most recently while consulting with a resettlement agency in the metro D.C. area during the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation, I saw the immense challenges and triumphs of mobilizing to support thousands of Afghan allies. These moments underscore the need for systems that are not only reactive but proactive in addressing humanitarian crises.
The Impact of Restrictive Policies
Under the first Trump administration, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) was decimated – a program that historically received bipartisan support since its inception in 1980 - while the U.S. has a robust history of welcome refugees since World War II. Refugee admissions were slashed to an all-time low of 18,000 in fiscal year 2020, down from 85,000 in 2016. Policies like the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) or "Remain in Mexico" and the use of Title 42 effectively blocked access to asylum, forcing many to wait in incredibly unsafe conditions in Mexico, or face immediate deportation. Family separations and the targeting of Muslim-majority countries with travel bans further eroded pathways to safety.
For resettlement agencies, these policies were devastating. Fewer arrivals meant reduced funding and the need to scale back vital programs. Staff faced the heartbreaking task of informing families their loved ones would no longer be arriving, were rerouted or barred due to abrupt policy changes - causing more trauma by preventing families from being together.
The Afghanistan Crisis: A Turning Point
The Afghanistan evacuation in 2021 following the Taliban takeover, demonstrated the capacity for resettlement agencies and communities to rally under immense pressure. I was working on the ground at the time, helping Afghan families navigate the challenges of resettlement. This moment revitalized the infrastructure of resettlement agencies, reminding us of what’s possible when funding and partnerships align. But it also highlighted systemic weaknesses, including the need for sustainable long-term planning and resources.
A Legacy of Progress and Challenges
While efforts were made under the Biden administration to undo some of the most controversial policies of its predecessor, many of the new regulations introduced under the administration perpetuated barriers to accessing safety and stability for those seeking refuge in the United States.
The administration rolled back policies like the “Remain in Mexico” program and raised the annual refugee admissions ceiling, signaling a renewed commitment to the USRAP. There were also efforts to modernize and expand pathways for families, like the Keeping Families Together policy that included streamlined citizenship for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens (which was ultimately struck down). The Central American Minors (CAM) program, which was frozen under the previous administration, once again allowed parents to reunite with their children and loved ones in the United States.
The administration also took steps to address the damage of previous family separation policies at the border. In October 2024, a settlement was announced to provide temporary legal and other benefits for families separated under Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy. These measures aimed to rebuild trust and reaffirm the U.S. as a destination for safety and opportunity. The administration also created and extended humanitarian pathways for Ukrainians to resettle in the U.S. during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Despite these strides, there were also several policies that actively hindered progress. A December 2024 government report revealed that deportations under Biden had reached a 10-year high of 271,000, second only to Obama’s peak of 316,000. This stark figure underscored the administration’s struggle to reconcile enforcement priorities with humanitarian values.
New rules and technologies introduced to manage asylum applications also faced criticism. The CBP One app, which processed requests for asylum appointments along the border, offered limited appointment availability, accessibility issues, and insufficient multilingual support. Biden’s attempt at a “transit ban,” requiring asylum-seekers to apply for asylum in a third country en route to the U.S., echoed the restrictive approaches of previous administrations and again, was in flagrant disregard to existing U.S. asylum and immigration laws and U.S.-ratified international treaties. This regulation disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations fleeing dire conditions, leaving many with without viable options.
While the administration made some progress in restoring pathways to safety, the persistence of restrictive measures and operational failures left a complicated legacy.
Anticipating What’s Ahead
With a new administration, there’s a possibility of a shift in policies, both for those seeking refuge at our borders and for those already within the United States.
However, we have an opportunity to learn from the past and advocate for a more humane and effective approach. As new articles emerge daily offering glimpses into the administration’s likely policies and actions on immigration, we can begin to anticipate what lies ahead. Some potential policy predictions include:
· Edicts by executive order to bring sweeping changes, often with little notice or preparation. There have been rumored mentions of using executive orders to enforce Title 42 to expel asylum-seekers, like during the pandemic, which bypassed standard immigration protocols under the guise of public health. The New York Times published an article citing the Trump administration has been floating ideas and seeking out ways to bring back Title 42.
· Reinstating travel bans targeting specific regions or countries, limiting access to safety for vulnerable populations and curtailing family reunification. The “Muslim Ban” was implemented through an overnight executive order upon Trump taking office in 2017, and caused distruption and confusion for families who had been approved and awaiting resettlement for years.
· Restricting asylum access with policies like reviving the “Remain in Mexico” (MPP) program, mandating asylum claims in transit countries, or blocking asylum pathways leaving individuals in precarious conditions.
· Family separation was a stain on our country’s immigration programs under several administrations. The most recent inception still has families reeling as more than 1,300 children have yet to be reunified, and families continue coping with the mental health struggles and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) brought on by the separation. Fear of raids, mass deportation, ande detention is also growing, and there were reported targeted raids on farmworkers in California in December.
· Expanding deportation priorities, potentially leading to large removals of long-term residents and newly arrived asylum-seekers, those with humanitarian parole, and others.
· Suspending or reduced refugee resettlement, echoing the interruption during the first Trump administration would reduce funding for critical programs and infrastructure and impede life-saving resettlement as global displacement reaches a historic high of more than 122 million people, according to The UN Refugee Agency.
Moving Forward Together
The lessons learned from the Afghanistan crisis – rebuilding after the decimation of the immigration and refugee systems - show that while we can mobilize quickly when necessary, we must ensure that the systems in place are robust and sustainable to welcome people forced to flee their homes. We must also continue addressing the needs of migrants already in the U.S., and ensure ongoing efforts toward keeping families together.
Here’s what we can do:
Promote Public Awareness and Understanding
By sharing lived experiences in our communities - through social media, articles, and local events - we can foster a more compassionate and informed conversation about immigration. It’s essential to continue the advocacy work that urges policymakers to prioritize the safety and well-being of those forced to flee. This includes pushing for programs that streamline resettlement processes and ensure access to the resources needed to rebuild lives.Advocate for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
We must encourage comprehensive, modernized reforms that offer safety to individuals - whether through asylum, refugee resettlement, temporary protected status (TPS), humanitarian visas, etc. This requires ongoing engagement of all stakeholders, including grassroots organizations, faith-based groups, and political leaders, to ensure the U.S. remains a place of refuge for those in need.Strengthen Local Partnerships
Nonprofits and community organizations play a pivotal role in resettlement, providing services such as housing, employment, mental health aid, and legal assistance. Supporting these organizations through donations, volunteering, or partnerships can make a significant difference in the lives of new neighbors.
The future of immigration in America is about the collective will to make a difference. In times of uncertainty, we have the power to shape the future we want to see.
ETA: Each day since writing this blog new immigraiton-related reports have been released as well as a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on Remain in Mexico. Please check reliable news outlets for the latest updates.
Updated January 21, 2025 to include links to executive orders related to immigration signed yesterday by President Trump + Department of Homeland Security directive
