Biden Administration to Maintain Cap on Refugees Admitted to the United States

The Biden administration is expected to maintain the cap on refugees admitted to the country at 125,000 for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on Sunday.

Consistency in Refugee Cap Decision

Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Jerrold Nadler, both Democrats, announced on Wednesday that the administration would keep the refugee cap unchanged. The decision was made in consultation with Congress. Two U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the cap would remain at 125,000.

Understanding the Refugee Cap

The refugee cap represents the target number of refugees that the United States aims to admit from around the world each year. However, it does not necessarily mean that the U.S. will admit that many individuals. As of August, only approximately 51,000 refugees were admitted out of the potential 125,000 for the current fiscal year.

It is worth noting that refugee advocates consider this figure a significant improvement compared to the end of the Trump administration. They have praised the government’s efforts to rebuild the refugee program.

Presidential Declaration and Regional Breakdown

Each year, the President makes a decision on the refugee cap and signs a declaration specifying the regions from which refugees will be accepted. In this case, the Biden administration has demonstrated its commitment to protecting vulnerable refugees by maintaining a cap of 125,000 for Fiscal Year 2024. The statement from Jayapal and Nadler also praises the administration’s intention to resettle more refugees from the Western Hemisphere, although no specific numbers were provided.

A Historical Perspective

For many years, the United States led the way by admitting more refugees annually than all other countries combined. However, in 2018, Canada surpassed the U.S. in this regard.

The Biden administration’s decision to maintain the cap at 125,000 for the upcoming fiscal year reflects its commitment to upholding the United States’ role in protecting vulnerable refugees.

Rise in Refugee Admissions to the U.S.

Admissions under the U.S. refugee program saw a record-low of 11,411 arrivals in 2021. However, recent efforts by the government to strengthen staffing and conduct more circuit rides to foreign countries for refugee interviews have resulted in an increase in the number of refugees admitted this year.

Understanding Refugee Status

Refugee status differs from other forms of protection, such as asylum, humanitarian parole, or Temporary Protected Status. To be admitted as refugees, individuals must be residing outside the U.S. Typically, they are referred to the State Department by the United Nations’ refugee agency, and U.S. officials then interview and vet them while they are still abroad. On the other hand, individuals seeking asylum must physically be on U.S. soil.

Amidst High Migration Numbers

The decision regarding next year’s refugee cap coincides with an unprecedented influx of migrants arriving at the southern border, many of whom are seeking asylum in the United States.

Multiple Paths to Entry

The Biden administration has implemented various approaches to admit individuals into the country or allow them to remain once they arrive. These include options such as humanitarian parole or Temporary Protected Status. Just recently, the president extended protection to nearly 500,000 Venezuelans who are already in the country. Additionally, tens of thousands of Ukrainians escaping the Russian invasion and Afghans evacuated from Afghanistan have been admitted on humanitarian parole.

Benefits of the Refugee System

Advocates for refugees often emphasize the importance of utilizing the refugee system more extensively. One significant advantage is that it offers those entering the country a long-term pathway to citizenship. In contrast, individuals admitted under humanitarian parole are typically only allowed to stay for a maximum of two years.

Advocacy for a Higher Cap

Some refugee advocates have been advocating for a slightly higher refugee cap. The Refugee Council USA, which represents nearly 40 groups advocating for refugees, urged for a cap of 135,000 refugees, with an ambitious target of 200,000 by fiscal year 2026.