The United States tightens screening of legal refugees

President Donald Trump's administration has expanded the powers of immigration officials to detain legal refugees who apply for a green card after one year of residence in the US. This is according to a memorandum from the Department of Homeland Security dated February 18, submitted to a federal court.

The document stipulates that refugees must return to government custody for "inspection and examination" for re-screening one year after entering the country.

According to the department, this procedure is intended to harmonize the screening of refugees with other applicants for admission and to promote public safety. The new directive allows for detention during the re-screening process and represents a departure from the 2010 memorandum, which stated that failure to obtain permanent residence is not grounds for detention or deportation.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Federal Judge Sunshine Sykes of the District Court in Riverside, California, overturned an Immigration Appeals Board decision that supported Trump's policy of mandatory detention of thousands of migrants without the possibility of applying for release on bail.

(reuters, max)