The Trump administration has issued a sweeping new order that could lead to the arrest of tens of thousands of refugees who are lawfully in the United States but do not yet have permanent residency. A Department of Homeland Security memo filed ahead of a federal court hearing in Minnesota says refugees applying for green cards must return to federal custody one year after admission for review.

Advocacy and resettlement groups slammed the order, which will likely face legal challenges and could sow confusion among the nearly 200,000 refugees who came to the United States during the Biden administration. The order is the latest in a series of immigration restrictions by the Trump administration, which has dramatically reduced refugee admissions and suspended green card approvals for recent arrivals.

The policy change came hours before U.S. District Judge John Tunheim heard arguments on whether to extend a temporary order protecting Minnesota refugees from arrest and deportation. While the judge's order applies only in Minnesota, the implications of the new national policy dominated the hearing. Justice Department attorney Brantley Mayers indicated the government should have the right to arrest refugees one year after entry, though he suggested that would not always happen.