Trump administration suspends key immigration programs, foreign aid amid review

Officials from the Trump administration have ordered a pause on several immigration programs that allowed temporary entry into the United States, including those that provided a pathway for immigrants from Ukraine, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela.

The directive, which was issued via email by the top official at US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), halts “final decisions” on applications related to the programs while a review is conducted to determine their future, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The scope of the pause is vast, affecting individuals fleeing some of the world’s most unstable regions. Notably, the "Uniting for Ukraine" program, launched during the Biden administration to offer temporary shelter to Ukrainian refugees, is among those suspended.

As of September 2023, over 150,000 Ukrainians had entered the US under this initiative. Also affected are programs allowing certain family reunifications and providing support for Central American minors with US relatives. The decision signals a broader crackdown on temporary entry programs, with the Trump administration arguing that many of these programs were unlawful in the first place.

Yael Schacher, Director of Americas and Europe for Refugees International, expressed concern, stating, "This suspension on parole decisions is similar to the suspension of all asylum access at the border and the suspension of the refugee program. It’s a testament to the administration’s hostility to all humanitarian immigration."

In addition to the immigration program suspensions, Trump’s executive order also targets foreign aid funding. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive halting most existing foreign assistance grants for 90 days. This includes military assistance to Ukraine, a move that has raised concerns among US officials and advocates for Ukraine’s war effort against Russia. Rubio’s guidance demands “stop-work orders” for nearly all “existing foreign assistance awards,” a move that extends beyond Trump’s earlier executive order.

The sweeping nature of the pause has shocked some State Department officials. “State just totally went nuclear on foreign assistance,” one anonymous official remarked. The halt in foreign aid is expected to affect key allies, including Ukraine, Jordan, and Taiwan. However, certain exceptions are made, with military financing for Egypt and Israel continuing, and emergency food assistance remaining unaffected.

Critics worry the pause could have dire consequences for programs like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which provides crucial HIV treatment in Africa. "This stop-work order is cruel and deadly," said Asia Russell, Executive Director of Health GAP, a nonprofit focused on HIV treatment access.

The Trump administration has stated that decisions regarding the continuation or termination of programs will be made following the review process.

By Vafa Guliyeva