Presidential Determination on Transferring the United States Program of Initial Refugee Resettlement

This determination transfers administration of the U.S. refugee initial resettlement program from the Department of State to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The move centralizes domestic resettlement under one agency, citing the original statutory structure of the 1980 Refugee Act, and directs State and HHS to coordinate an orderly transfer of responsibilities, personnel, and resources.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 49007

Impact dates

Date TBD
Orderly transfer of responsibilities, personnel, and resources between State and HHS

Key directives

Transfer administration of initial resettlement grants and contracts to HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement
Direct State and HHS to coordinate orderly transfer of responsibilities, personnel, and resources
Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Transfer determination takes effect upon signing
Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Coordination between State and HHS on orderly transfer of responsibilities, personnel, and resources

Long term

Potential restructuring of refugee resettlement infrastructure
Changes in grant/contract administration for nonprofit agencies
Possible shifts in state/local coordination mechanisms

Risks & tensions

No explicit deadline for transfer completion creates implementation uncertainty
Potential workforce disruption for State Department employees whose roles transfer to HHS
Friction possible between agencies during transition of grant/contract administration
Nonprofit resettlement agencies may face administrative confusion during handover