Adjustment of status is the process that enables refugees to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States, also known as getting a green card.
Refugees must file an application to adjust their status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) one year after they arrive in the U.S. This application determines if they are eligible for a green card, and it is free of charge for refugees.
Each person in the family, including children, must submit a form.
This information is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney or accredited representative. The content was last updated October 2025.
I am a refugee who arrived more than a year ago and I have not yet applied for adjustment of status – what should I do?
If you are a refugee who has been in the U.S. for a year or more and have not applied for adjustment of status, you are strongly urged to seek advice from an immigration legal service provider.
Recent changes in policy may affect your eligibility, and it’s important to understand your options before submitting any application to USCIS.
Also Read: Pro-Bono Lawyers And Free Legal Services in New York Immigration Courts
Can a refugee be deported or detained if they do not apply for adjustment of status after one year?
The law requires refugees to apply for adjustment of status after one year in the U.S. However, refugees cannot lose their status or be deported just because they did not do so. Historically, the U.S. government would only detain or deport refugees who had not applied for adjustment of status after one year if there was a specific reason to believe they should be deported from the U.S.
What can cause a refugee to be detained or deported?
Some of the actions that may trigger detention or deportation include:
- Criminal convictions
- Lying to the U.S. government on their application for refugee status
- A history of engaging in terrorist activities or supporting terrorist organizations
- Participating in the persecution of others
The Department of State has recently designated new foreign terrorist organizations. If you have had contact with any of these organizations, or if you have concerns about whether any of these situations applies to you, be sure to speak with an immigration legal service provider.
Will refugees be allowed to continue working if they do not adjust status?
Refugee status does not expire whether or not someone applies for adjustment of status after one year. Refugees also remain work authorized indefinitely and may renew their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) if needed.
Also Read: Asylum Employment Authorization, Explained
Will refugees be eligible for benefits if they do not adjust status?
Under a law enacted in July 2025, refugees are no longer eligible for certain federal benefits, including SNAP (food stamps), until they have adjusted to LPR status.
Also, starting in October 2026, refugees will not be eligible for Medicaid and will not be able to enroll in subsidized health insurance or receive tax credits through the Affordable Care Act until they have LPR status. Benefits eligibility may vary from one US state to another so check with your resettlement agency or state benefits-granting agency for more information.
