Trump administration cancels flights for refugees already authorized to travel

The State Department abruptly canceled travel for thousands of refugees already authorized to travel to the United States, days before President Trump’s deadline to suspend the resettlement program that provides refuge to people fleeing persecution .

The cancellation of flights follows an executive order signed by Mr. Trump on Monday that indefinitely suspended refugee resettlement. The order effectively halts the process of admitting refugees into the country, which involves several federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations that welcome new arrivals.

More than 10,000 refugees are currently on track to travel to the United States, according to government data. These include Afghans who were in danger due to their association with the United States before the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. Other refugees approved for travel included people from Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

The sudden cessation of flights was a blow to refugees who were going through a long and complicated process to legally enter the country, workers with the resettlement group said.

Angela Plummer, executive director of Community Refugee & Immigration Services, which resettles refugees in Columbus, Ohio, said the organization expected dozens of arrivals on suspended flights.

“These are people who followed all the rules and now find themselves in danger,” Ms Plummer said. “It’s heartbreaking.”