There is no word from the Australian government whether its deal with Washington to shift some of its refugees to the United States has collapsed.
Malcolm Turnbull Photo: AFP
Reuters reports that the US Department of Homeland Security has temporarily halted trips by staff to interview refugees abroad as it prepares for a likely shake-up of refugee policy by President Donald Trump.
However Australia's prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said he was confident the agreement will stay.
Earlier, his deputy Barnaby Joyce responded to news of Mr Trump's plans by saying it wouldn't be the end of the world if the agreement collapsed.
Refugees detained by Australia offshore on Nauru and Manus Island are distressed at the news that President Trump will suspend refugee resettlement.
The Manus Island detention centre. Photo: Behrouz Boochani
Last year, Canberra was set to accept Central American refugees in exchange for some of Australia's refugees held for years in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Australia's other resettlement attempts have so far largely failed.
