Immigration (Refugees & Asylum)

This House resolution (HR 132) urges the federal government to reinstate the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which was suspended indefinitely by President Trump's January 2025 executive order. It directly affects refugees currently blocked from entering the U.S. due to the suspension, citing court challenges and a 2024 report noting refugees undergo the most rigorous screening of any immigrant group. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests federal action to resume refugee admissions. It was introduced on June 12, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

This resolution (HR 164) addresses the July 2025 detentions of 16 Hmong and Laotian refugees in Michigan by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who were unexpectedly taken into custody during routine check-ins and later deported to Laos without adequate notice or due process. It demands federal transparency regarding the legal basis for these detentions, urges ICE to provide timely legal counsel and family notification for detainees, and calls for case-by-case reviews of individuals with strong Michigan ties. The resolution specifically highlights concerns about rapid transfers across facilities and the lack of a U.S.-Laos repatriation agreement requiring travel documents. It is directed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Michigan’s congressional delegation, seeking improved oversight and humane treatment.