Trump cancels refugee travel to US after suspending admissions programme

By Spurb Ernest

1. Halt to refugee travel follows Monday’s executive order We’ve reported, the State Department has cancelled refugee travel to the US and paused refugee processing, according to the internal guidance obtained by BBC’s US partner, CBS.”All previously scheduled travel of refugees to the United States is being cancelled, and no new travel bookings will be made,” the memo from the State Department says, without specifying how long the suspension will last.The memo, which suggests that the suspension takes effect immediately, follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday that said refugee admissions into the US would be suspended from 27 January.The order states that the US “lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees”.”This order suspends the [The United States Refugee Admissions Program] until such time as the further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States,” it says.Share
2. State Department cancels all refugee travel to US . Refugee travel to the US has been halted by the State Department – as has refugee processing, according to internal guidance obtained by the BBC’s US partner CBS News.Officials have reportedly been instructed to stop the refugee referral process overseas and to pause a Biden administration programme allowing private US citizens to sponsor refugees.The move doesn’t currently affect Special Immigrant Visa holders, who’ve assisted US military forces, the guidance states.On Monday – the day President Trump was sworn back into the White House – he signed an executive order suspending the US’s Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), saying America “lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans”.The rule halts USRAP until “further entry into the United States of refugees aligns with the interests of the United States”, the order says.Share
3. DEI not a priority for my constituents, says Democratic congressman
   US special correspondentWe’re starting to hear responses to Trump’s executive order seeking to end diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the federal government.Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres from New York tells me the DEI executive order isn’t something he’ll be focusing on as a way to counter Trump.He says: “I’ve never had a constituent who said to me ‘DEI is my number one issue’.”Instead, he is more focused on public safety as something his voters actually think about every day.Share
4. A cold, quiet morning at the White House
5. I’ve just arrived at the White House, where things are quiet on an extremely cold Wednesday morning.So far, the White House has not released President Donald Trump’s public schedule – the third day in a row where that has been the case.We do know, however, that he will sit down with Fox News host Sean Hannity for the first Oval Office interview of his second administration. That interview will air tonight at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT).While we also did not have a public plan early yesterday, the president had a busy day that extended long into the evening.His engagements included the announcement of an artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, an extended question-and-answer session with pool reporters and a late-night social media post announcing that he had pardoned Silk Road founder Ross William Ulbricht.Stay with us for more updates.Share
6. What the memo says about laid-off diversity workers The US Office of Personnel Management issued a memo which outlined the Trump administration’s ambitions for diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI), and diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility (DEIA) programmes. Here’s what was in it:
   • Federal employees who work for DEIA offices are to be put on paid leave “immediately”, with a deadline of 17:00 EST (22:00 GMT) today, as the agency “takes steps to close/end all DEIA initiatives, offices and programs”Also by 17:00 today, all outward-facing websites and social media accounts are to be taken down and for DEIA-related training to be cancelledBy 12:00 EST on Thursday, the memo says a report should be filed to the OPM with a “complete list” of diversity and equity offices and employees who work in those officesAnd by no later than 17:00 EST a plan should be submitted to the OPM outlining “reduction-in-force action”
   The memo, which was first reported by the BBC’s US partner, CBS, was confirmed by the White House. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X: “To every reporter asking about this: I can gladly confirm!”.Share
7. A brief overview of Trump’s first full day in officeDonald Trump was sworn in as US president on Monday, and he’s already issued an avalanche of executive orders and announcements. For those of you just joining us, here’s a brief overview of President Trump’s first full day in office:
   • Federal agencies were ordered to put staff working on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes on paid leave “immediately”, with a deadline of 17:00 EST (22:00 GMT) today, according to a memo from the US Office of Personnel Management, first seen by the BBC’s US partner, CBSThe move followed an executive order issued by the Trump administration, which called for an end to “dangerous, demeaning, and immoral” (DEI) schemesDEI programmes include a combination of steps taken by organisations to support people from different backgrounds, namely those often underrepresented in the workplaceOn trade policy, Trump said he was considering imposing a 10% tariff on imports of Chinese-made goods as soon as 1 FebruaryIn response, the Chinese foreign ministry says it will defend its “national interests”, adding: “there are no winners in a trade war”Late on Tuesday, TrumpÂdefended his decision to pardon supporters who were convicted over the 6 January 2021 US capitol riots. He also signeda full and unconditional pardon for Ross Ulbricht, , externalwho operated Silk Road, the dark web marketplace where illegal drugs were sold.
8. Panama Canal is not a ‘gift’ from the US, Panama’s president saysPanama’s President Jose Raul MulinoPanama has hit back at US President Donald Trump’s threats of taking “back” the Panama Canal, a key trade route.”The Panama Canal was not a concession or a gift from the United States,” Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino tells a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos in Switzerland.In his inaugural speech, Trump said Panama had “broken” a promise to remain neutral, alleging that “China is operating the Panama Canal”. Trump also said “American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly”.The canal is one of the most important trade routes for the US. Around 5% of global maritime trade passes through the 51 mile (82 km) Panama Canal.Mulino says Trump’s claims about the canal are “false”, adding that it belongs to the people of Panama.Share
9. Staff on paid leave and calls for ‘reduction-in-force action’ – what we know about Trump scrappingThe Trump administration has taken action on its election promise to cut funding to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) schemes being used across the government – here are the key updates you need to know.In a memo from US government agency the Office of Personal Management (OPM), obtained by the BBC’s US news partner CBS, heads of DEI initiatives and programmes are told to follow this timeline:
   • Put federal employees working in DEI programmes on paid leave by 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) on WednesdayReport how they’ve complied with implementing the memo’s instructions by 12:00 local time tomorrowSubmit a plan to the OPM, outlining “reduction-in-force action” by 17:00 local time on 31 January– next Friday
   It also says employees must report any efforts by staff to “disguise” the programmes by using “coded or imprecise language”.According to an executive order, signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, the US Justice Department should make recommendations to encourage any private sector “educational agencies” receiving federal funds to also end DEI programmes.We don’t yet know how many members of staff this order will affect – but we’re working to find that out and will let you know when we do.Share
10. What does DEI mean? Back to the news that President Trump is putting all US government DEI staff on paid leave – you may well be wondering what DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) actually means. Let’s take a look.DEI refers to a combination of steps and policies carried out by several organisations, both in the public and private sector, to support people from different backgrounds, namely those who are often underrepresented.Different backgrounds and lived experiences could include someone’s gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religious beliefs or disabilities.The idea behind these policies is to address systemic injustices, like historic sexism and racism, which have prevented some groups from having the same access to jobs and industries as their peers.But critics say the policies themselves can be discriminatory. The White House says an executive order rolling back DEI, external “protects the civil rights of all Americans and expands individual opportunity”, and “faithfully advances the Constitution’s promise of colorblind equality before the law”.In recent weeks, American firms including Meta and Amazon have scaled back their diversity programmes.Share
11. Top diplomat says Trump is right, EU doesn’t spend enough on defenceWe’re now hearing from the European Union’s foreign policy chief, who says she agrees with President Donald Trump that the bloc doesn’t spend enough on defence.”Europe’s failure to invest in military capabilities sends a dangerous signal to the aggressor,” Kaja Kallas says during a speech at the annual conference of the European Defence Agency. “Weakness invites them in.”Focusing on Vladimir Putin, she says “for too long” the Russian president has been offered “alternatives” – in the hope he “would choose cooperation and economic prosperity for its people over fraudulent imperialistic ambitions”.”But instead Russia’s defence industry’s churning out tanks, glide bombs, artillery shells, in vast quantities.”Trump previously said he’d “encourage” Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” with European allies if they “don’t pay” their way and boost defence spending.Share
12. ‘It’s not a great situation’ – Canadian minister on US relationshipPivoting back to trade policy, Canada this morning has hit out at Donald Trump’s intention to impose tariffs on goods being imported to the US from its neighbouring nation.”It’s not a great situation for trading partners.”That’s how Canada’s energy minister, Jonathan Wilkinson, describes his country’s relationship with the US after Trump said the tariffs would come into force unless the country took steps to increase security on their shared border. Trump also warned he would use “economic force” to make Canada the 51st state – something outgoing PM Justin Trudeau has said will not happen.Speaking to BBC World Service’s Newsday, Wilkinson says tariffs would raise consumer prices in the US – highlighting that his country would respond with tariffs on crude oil, fertiliser and uranium that would increase the cost of petrol, food and electricity.The tariffs would have a significant impact on Canada, but also bring “significant pain” to the US. Instead, he suggests, the two countries should focus on an energy and mineral alliance. In the Canadian minister’s view, it’s a shame President Trump’s “taking such an aggressive approach”.Share
13. What’s in the diversity policy ban text? We can now bring you more details about US President Donald Trump’s latest executive order, which calls for an end to diversity policies within the federal government and in the private sector.In the order, the Trump administration describes initiatives under the Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and the Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) umbrella as policies that “violate the text and spirit of our longstanding federal civil rights laws”.These policies, the document reads, undermine national unity as they “deny, discredit and undermine the traditional American values of hard work”.The Trump-led White House used the order to instruct government agencies to “combat” DEI preferences, mandates, policies and activities in the private sector.The document goes on to give the attorney general 120 days to build a report advising the government on how best to encourage an end to DEI and DEIA in private workplaces, including a list of the “most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners” and steps that can be taken to deter them.
    • For context:ÂTrump’s attorney general pick, Pam Bondi, is yet to be confirmed by the Senate; James McHenry is serving as acting attorney general in the meantime.
14. Trump continues crackdown on ‘immoral’ diversity programmesIn other news this morning, the Trump administration is continuing its campaign against diversity and inclusion programmes.In a US Office of Personnel Management memo, issued late last night, federal agencies are told to prepare to lay off staff in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) programmes. It orders all employees working in such roles to be placed on paid leave by 17:00 local time (22:00 GMT) Wednesday, according to the memo – obtained by CBS, the BBC’s US partner.It follows a new executive order, signed by the president earlier in the day on Tuesday, calling for an end to what he called “dangerous, demeaning and immoral” hiring practices.Trump’s campaign against diversity programmes is in line with the promises he made on the the campaign trail, where he often said such practices discriminated against white people and pledged to get rid of them.Several large US companies have ended or scaled back their own DEI programmes since Trump was elected, including McDonald’s, Walmart and Meta. Others, like Apple and retailers Target and Costco, publicly defended their existing programmes.Share
15. What’s a tariff and how does it work?Sticking to one of his election promises, Donald Trump says he’s considering imposing a 10% tariff on goods entering the US from China. Here’s a look at what that would mean:
    • In practical terms, a tariff is a domestic tax levied on goods as they enter the country, proportional to the value of the import – so a car imported to the US with a value of $50,000 (£38,000) subject to a 25% tariff, would face a $12,500 chargeThe charge is physically paid by the domestic company that imports the goods, not the foreign company that exports themThe question of where the final “economic” burden of tariffs falls, as opposed to the upfront bill, is more complicated thoughIf the US importing firm passes on the cost of the tariff to the person buying the product in the US in the form of higher retail prices, it would be the US consumer that bears the economic burden – but if the US importing firm absorbs the cost of the tariff itself and doesn’t pass it on, then that firm is said to bear the economic burden in the form of lower profits than it would otherwise have enjoyedAlternatively, it is possible that foreign exporters might have to lower their wholesale prices by the value of the tariff in order to retain their US customers
    The US is the world’s largest importer: China, Mexico and Canada account for about 40% of the $3.2tn (£2.6tn) of goods it imports each year.Share
16. China warns US there are ‘no winners in a trade war’A short while ago we heard from the Chinese foreign ministry, saying it will defend its “national interests” after US President Donald Trump told reporters he’s considering a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.”We have always believed that there are no winners in a trade war or a tariff war,” the department’s spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a daily briefing.China’s “firmly committed to safeguarding national interests,” she’s also quoted as saying.Trump says the tariff could come into effect as soon as 1 February (next weekend), and that it’s based on China sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada. China previously defended its efforts to stop the flow of illegal drugs.As we’ve been reporting, Trump has also threatened import taxes on Canada and Mexico, as well as the EU.Share
17. Pardons suggest politics trump policing – US Capitol police chief The US Capitol police chief says he thinks President Trump pardoning those involved in the Capitol riots “sends the message that politics is more important than policing”.In an interview with the BBC’s US news partner CBS, Thomas Manger says he’s now “concerned” for his officers – and “concerned about what message they get from these actions”.The justice department, in its last update, said 1,583 people had been arrested or convicted of riot-related crimes over 6 January. More than 600 were charged with assaulting, resisting or obstructing police, including around 175 charged with using a weapon or causing serious injury to an officer.Trump’s blanket pardon effectively freed all the rioters and erased the work of the largest criminal investigation in US history. The president says “these people have already served years in prison, and they’ve served them viciously”.But Manger says many of his officers are angry with the decision to pardon them. “They’re upset, and I don’t blame them,” he tells CBS.Share
18. As we’ve been reporting, Donald Trump has heavily defended his decision to release high-profile prisoners jailed over the Capitol riots – and to pardon nearly 1,600 people in connection with 6 January 2021.In he latest episode of the CITY’s Americast, our team of presenters in DC discuss who has been released, what the reaction has been, and how Trump is changing the narrative over who was responsible for the riots.Also, Trump’s former advisor Bryan Lanza joins with an inside view on why the immigration raids are more about PR than deportation.
19. What happened on Trump’s first full day in office?Donald Trump was sworn into his second term as US president on Monday – and already there have been a lot of headlines about his first actions back in office. If you’re just joining us, good morning, or if you need a recap – here’s what you need to know:
    • Trump has told reporters in the White House he’s considering imposing a 10% tariff on imports of Chinese-made goods as soon as 1 February – sticking to an election promise he madeThe president previously threatened to also levy import taxes of 25% on Mexico and Canada, accusing them of allowing undocumented migrants and drugs to enter the USLate on Tuesday, Trump defended his decision to pardon supporters who were convicted over the 6 January 2021 US capitol riots – one of the day’s most-recognised faces, QAnon ‘Shaman’ Jacob Chansley, said he was off to buy guns after receiving his presidential pardonMeanwhile, a total of 22 states have lodged lawsuits against the executive order signed yesterday that revoked birthright citizenship – the automatic American citizenship that is granted to anyone born in the countryTrump also rescinded guidelines that would have prevented schools or churches from being targeted in immigration raids, and reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy that kept asylum seekers out of the country while applications are processedAnd at a multi-faith service earlier yesterday, a reverend asked Trump to “have mercy” on LGBT+ people and immigrants. He later called her “nasty” and a “Trump hater”, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, adding that she’s “not very good at her job”
20. Can Trump really rename the Gulf of Mexico? Fresh from his inauguration, US President Donald Trump has wasted no time in signing off a suite of executive orders.Among them is a direction to rename the Gulf of Mexico the ”Gulf of America”. But can the president really do that?
21. ‘US turning its back on refugees’, Democratic senator saysDemocratic senator Jeanne Shaheen, who sits in the foreign relations committee, says the US “is turning its back on those in need”.Her comments come after the State Department reportedly halted all refugee travel and processing to the US.President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this week, which said refugee admissions into the US would be suspended from 27 January.Shaheen says she was alarmed by Trump’s move, describing acceptance of refugees fleeing violence and persecution “a core American value”, adding “by issuing this order, our country is turning its back on those in need”.In a statement, Shaheen highlighted reports that as many as 1,660 Afghan refugees, “who risked their lives to assist with the US mission in Afghanistan” and were already cleared to resettle in America, had their flights cancelled.”For years I have advocated for the United States to uphold its commitment to our Afghan allies and partners, and I urge the administration to reconsider this decision,” she adds.