CNN
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Refugees who were slated to travel to the United States after a years-long and often cumbersome process have had their flights canceled, according to a State Department memo to resettlement partners obtained by CNN.
The memo comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions and marks another example of the swift impact his actions are already having. The move stands to affect thousands of refugees who had flights already scheduled.
“All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made. RSCs should not request travel for any additional refugee cases at this time,” the memo states, citing the president’s executive order.
Approximately 10,000 refugees had travel booked, which is now canceled, according to a source familiar with the data. A breakdown by country was not immediately available, but refugees generally come from a range of countries, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela, Syria and Burma.
The cancellations could be particularly troubling for refugees whose medical exams or security checks, for example, are on the cusp of expiring. The memo also states that case processing is suspended, effectively shuttering the program.
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