Legal refugees now face long detention after DHS reinterprets law on applying for a green card after a year

A new DHS policy could result in the detention of thousands of people who have lawful immigration status.

By: Ashley Sanchez, University of Notre Dame, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 12, 2026

Words: 1,161

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago

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By Ashley Sanchez, University of Notre Dame

The Department of Homeland Security issued a policy memo in February 2026 that could lead to the detention of refugees who are legally in the country.

The new policy states that “DHS may arrest and detain a refugee who has lived in the United States for at least one year and has not yet acquired” lawful permanent resident status. Approximately 100,000 refugees could be at risk …

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