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As part of this new effort, ICE agents have arrested "dozens of refugees... mainly from Somalia and includ[ing] children." The targeted individuals mostly do not seem to have any criminal issues, and many have been quickly transported out of state, away from family members, friends, and lawyers.
Today, we'll discuss what USCIS's so-called "war on fraud" means for refugees and other immigrants, and how to prepare in the event that your case is subject to re-verification.
The genesis for Operation PARRIS seems to be an internal USCIS memo from November 2025. According to AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the memo orders USCIS to "review and potentially re-interview all refugee approvals from January 21, 2021, to February 20, 2025." In other words, the Agency plans to re-examine all 200,000+ refugee cases that were approved during President Biden's term. Note that this memo applies to refugees and not to people granted or applying for asylum. The memo also purportedly orders USCIS to "stop adjudicating any applications to adjust status filed by refugees, their derivatives, and follow-to-join refugees admitted during this timeframe."
Apparently, the review will be quite broad. It will re-examine whether each refugee's claim was credible and whether they demonstrated a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or particular social group.
The Agency will also look at possible grounds of inadmissibility, including criminal and security-related issues, and certain communicable diseases. The focus will be on the persecutor and terrorism bars, which state that people who persecuted others or supported terrorism may not be admitted to the United States. The terrorism bar in particularly is overly broad and potentially blocks victims of terrorism as well as people who actually supported terrorists.
Where a refugee was found inadmissible and received a waiver (permission to enter the U.S. despite being inadmissible), USCIS will re-examine the waiver to determine whether it was properly approved.
If it determines that refugee status was improperly granted or a waiver was improperly approved, USCIS will move to terminate the refugee grant pursuant to 8 C.F.R. § 207.9. Under that section, the Agency should "notify the alien in writing of its intent to terminate the alien's refugee status." "The alien will have 30 days... to present written or oral evidence to show why the alien's refugee status should not be terminated." If USCIS ultimately terminates the person's refugee status, they will be referred to Immigration Court where they can present any defenses, such as asylum, Withholding of Removal, protection under the Torture Convention, adjustment of status, etc., and a judge will determine whether they can remain in the United States.
Aside from refugees who have not yet obtained their Green Cards, USCIS will "hold" all pending I-485 applications (Green Card applications) filed by refugees during President Biden's term. How long the hold will last, we do not know. In addition, refugees who have already received their Green Cards will be subject to review. So far, at least, I have not heard about Operation PARRIS targeting asylum seekers or anyone else aside from refugees.
How is all this actually being implemented?
Based on news reports and information shared by lawyers in Minnesota, it seems that more than a hundred refugees have been detained by ICE and shipped to a detention facility in Texas. According to IRAP, a non-profit that is suing the Trump Administration over these detentions--
Once jailed in Texas, refugees are frequently put through intensive questioning without adequate opportunity to prepare or consult with a lawyer. Many have been forced to answer the same questions they were already asked when they initially proved to the U.S. government they were refugees or on their green card applications, this time without the opportunity to review the paperwork they may have submitted months or years ago. Those ICE has released were left on the streets of Texas, usually without money, identification, or any way to get home. Other refugees have been forced to stay in detention in Texas for a week or more, with no information about why they are being detained or when they will be released.
There also are reports that some refugees are being pressured to agree to "self deport." Several refugees who had pending Green Card applications were interviewed about their eligibility, and in at least a few cases, the Green Cards were approved and the person was released. I have not yet heard about anyone being placed into removal proceedings or deported, but clearly those are possibilities.We are also hearing about refugees who receive a letter from USCIS ordering them to report for an "interview/case review." The example letter I saw gave the person less than two weeks notice prior to the appointment. At least in some of these cases, the people who appeared for an interview were detained and quickly transported to a detention facility in Texas.
What should refugees be doing to prepare?
First, if you do not have a copy of your immigration file, you should obtain that. There is a helpful website that explains the Freedom of Information Act process here. It is important to have your file so you can review what's there, and be prepared in case you are re-interviewed.
Second, if you have had refugee status for more than a year and you have not yet applied for your Green Card, you should do so using form I-485. For refugees, there is no fee for this application. A refugee is (arguably) required to apply for their Green Card once they have been in the U.S. for a year, and failing to apply could cause you to be placed into removal proceedings. If you need help applying, there are non-profit organizations that may be able to assist.
Finally, you should have a plan in case you are detained, and know your rights if ICE comes to your home or stops you on the street. A trusted family member or friend should have access to your immigration documents, and if you have a lawyer, your friend should have the lawyer's contact information.
The situation these days seems quite dire, but we still need to keep things in perspective. While refugees (and others) are under siege in Minnesota, most people with refugee status should be relatively secure and should be able to satisfy USCIS if their case is re-evaluated. Getting a copy of your file, applying for a Green Card if you are eligible, and having a plan are the best ways to minimize your risk in these frightening times.
Originally posted on the Asylumist: www.Asylumist.com
