CBP ISSUES BULLETIN ON U.S. REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROGRAM
February 18, 2026
Eckert Seamans has prepared the information in this update for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice nor substitute for legal advice. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Eckert Seamans or one of its attorneys creates an attorney-client relationship, as the firm may, for example, already represent another party involved in your matter. Accordingly, you should not provide confidential information to Eckert Seamans. Persons seeking legal advice should consult a licensed professional attorney in their state. The firm’s Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Disclaimer detailed herein are expressly incorporated into the Aviation Regulatory Update.
On January 26, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection clarified specific aspects of President Trump’s Executive Order on Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program which was first issued in January 2025. More specifically, the Carrier Liaison Program bulletin advised carriers that the entry of first-time arriving refugees will be restricted pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act absent an exception from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To avoid civil penalties for transporting suspended or otherwise restricted passengers into the United States, carriers must verify that passengers have valid visas or other travel documentation before being transported to the United States. Should questions arise on the authorization for any specific passenger to board an aircraft or otherwise travel to the United States, carriers should promptly seek clarification from the appropriate Regional Carrier Liaison Group prior to aircraft departure.
This Aviation Blog post is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com; Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
Share This Post
Authors
