News & Resources

FOIA: Refugee adjudication policies and procedures

IRAP filed a lawsuit seeking records that explain the current state of refugee processing, including training materials, manuals, and policies that govern officers’ evaluations of refugee applications.

Impact

The Trump Administration implemented opaque changes to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program that drastically reduced refugee resettlement. Many of those critical policy changes occurred in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Department of State agency manuals and policy guidance. This case aims to shed light on these changes, which continue to shape U.S. refugee policy to this day.

Case status

The case is now closed. The resulting productions are available here.

Follow the Case

  • September 25, 2019 | Complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief for violation of the Freedom of Information Act

    View Document +
  • May 24, 2019 | USCIS Freedom of Information Act request

    View Document +
  • May 24, 2019 | DOS Freedom of Information Act request

    View Document +