A government memo obtained by CBS News authorized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain refugees who arrived lawfully but have not yet received green cards.
The directive expands the population subject to custody beyond unauthorized border crossers, focusing on legally admitted refugees awaiting permanent status.
Immigrant advocates said the policy shift could leave vulnerable families in prolonged detention despite prior approval to enter the country.
Agency officials have not fully detailed enforcement criteria, but the memo signals broader use of detention authority during the status adjustment process.
Legal challenges are expected from civil liberties groups arguing that detention of admitted refugees violates due process protections.
Refugee resettlement agencies said lawful entrants awaiting permanent status often have employment authorization and community ties that detention disrupts.
Congressional oversight committees may request briefings on how the memo alters prior ICE guidance limiting detention of admitted refugees.
Immigration courts face growing dockets as enforcement priorities shift toward broader categories of removable noncitizens.
Detained refugees awaiting green cards include individuals admitted through official resettlement programs with pending adjustment applications.
Legal service providers are preparing habeas petitions challenging detention of lawfully admitted refugees under the new memo.
Refugee advocacy coalitions plan coordinated legal challenges arguing that detaining lawfully admitted refugees violates statutory protections and prior agency practice.
A government memo obtained by CBS News revealed ICE was authorized to detain refugees who entered lawfully but had not yet obtained permanent residency.
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Sources:
https://www.cbsnews.com/tag/drug-bust/