The silent trauma: U.S. immigration policies and mental health

In January 2025, President Trump issued an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), citing national security concerns.1 This policy shift, alongside stricter asylum policies and expanded immigration enforcement, has exacerbated fear, insecurity, and anxiety among migrant and refugee populations. The indefinite suspension of USRAP affects thousands of asylum seekers, including Afghan allies and families awaiting reunification, leaving many in precarious conditions with heightened mental health risks.