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New DHS Memo Enhances ICE's Power to Detain Legal Refugees

KVIA•Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 10:38 AM•CNN Newsource

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AI Summary

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a memo expanding the authority of immigration officers to detain legal refugees who have not obtained green cards within one year of their admission to the U.S. This policy change, justified by national security concerns, allows for the detention of refugees during their re-screening process. Previously, failure to adjust to lawful permanent resident status did not warrant detention. The memo has drawn criticism from refugee resettlement organizations, which argue it threatens the status of thousands of legally present individuals. A federal court in Minnesota is currently reviewing a case challenging this new policy, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Key Details: • New policy allows detention of refugees after one year of admission if they haven't adjusted status. • Refugees can be held during the inspection and examination process. • Critics argue the memo was issued without consultation with refugee organizations. • A federal court case in Minnesota is challenging this policy, with a hearing set for Thursday.

immigration ice national-security dhs refugees

People & Organizations

Department of Homeland SecurityDonald TrumpWashington, DCMinnesotaUS Citizenship and Immigration ServicesTodd LyonsUS Immigration and Customs EnforcementJoseph EdlowInternational Refugee Assistance ProjectBeth OppenheimHIAS

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