Jan 20, 2025 – Trump issues the “Day‑1” refugee order suspending entry under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program by invoking presidential authority in the Immigration and Nationality Act, sparking lawsuits that claim the move violates the Refugee Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. [4]

Dec 1, 2025 – Trump posts on Truth Social that he will permanently pause migration from “third‑world” countries, remove non‑net‑asset migrants and denaturalize those who “undermine domestic tranquility,” prompting Seattle refugee services to warn families of safety concerns. [7]

Dec 5, 2025 – The administration resumes the refugee program in October with a historic low cap of 7,500 admissions—mostly white South Africans—after a suspension that left roughly 600,000 refugees in processing and left families worldwide in limbo. [6]

Dec 9, 2025 – Judge Jamal Whitehead denies the government’s request to pause discovery in the Day‑1 refugee case, ordering continued depositions and document production while the Ninth Circuit prepares a merits opinion. [4]

Dec 10, 2025 – The Washington district court notes the Ninth Circuit likely allowed the pause of refugee arrivals but found some agency actions may violate law, keeping protections for refugees already in the U.S. intact. [4]

Dec 30, 2025 – DHS and DOJ issue a regulation effective Dec 31 that expands authority to deny asylum on public‑health grounds, echoing COVID‑era controls; USCIS says the rule preserves security‑bar considerations during health emergencies. [3]

Mid‑Dec 2025 – DHS and USCIS launch Operation PARRIS (Post‑Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening) to re‑examine 5,600 Minnesota refugees lacking permanent residency, citing alleged fraud in public programs. [5][2]

Jan 11, 2026 – Refugee “D. Doe,” admitted in 2024, is arrested, shackled, flown 1,400 miles to a Texas detention center, interrogated for 16 hours, and released without identification, illustrating the impact of the new detention policy. [1]

Jan 28, 2026 – U.S. District Judge John Tunheim issues a temporary restraining order blocking further arrests of Minnesota refugees under Operation PARRIS, calling the government’s claim to detain refugees before a year of residence “nonsensical.” [5]

Jan 30, 2026 – ICE transfers at least 100 Minnesota refugees to Texas detention facilities, shackling detainees and flying them without paperwork; advocates like Jocelyn Wyatt say families miss doctor visits, school, work, and grocery trips. [1]

Jan 30, 2026 – Trump administration’s “sweeping initiative” targeting 5,600 refugees sees agents knocking on doors and following cars; border czar Tom Homan admits the effort “needs fixes” and a draw‑down plan. [1]

Jan 30, 2026 – Ball Cooper of the International Refugee Assistance Project notes the detained refugees hail from Somalia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Syria, El Salvador, Venezuela and Russia, and cannot apply for permanent status until a year after admission. [1]

Feb 19, 2026 – DHS memo requires refugees who have not yet received a green card to return to federal custody one year after admission for case review, potentially detaining tens of thousands; HIAS CEO Beth Oppenheim calls the order “a transparent effort to detain and potentially deport thousands of people who are legally present.” [2][5]

Feb 19, 2026 – Judge Tunheim’s temporary restraining order is set to expire on Feb 25, 2026 unless a permanent injunction is granted, leaving Minnesota refugees vulnerable to arrest under the new policy. [2]

Feb 25, 2026 (expected) – The temporary restraining order expires, after which Minnesota refugees could face arrests and detention unless a court issues a lasting injunction; advocates warn of imminent mass detentions. [2]

Future (unspecified) – The Ninth Circuit is slated to issue a full opinion on the Day‑1 refugee order, which could determine the legality of the suspension and shape future refugee admissions. [4]