This week, President Biden officially signed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Presidential Determination on refugee admissions, maintaining the annual cap at 125,000 refugees.
What is the Presidential Determination? The Refugee Act of 1980 requires that the President annually consults with Congress to assess the scope of global humanitarian disaster, sets a U.S. admissions goal based on global needs and congressional funding, and provides a pipeline for internationally displaced populations to lawfully enter the U.S. after extensive security screening and vetting processes.
While the FY25 target remains the same for the fourth consecutive year, refugee arrivals in FY24 indicate promising progress for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which had been gutted during the previous administration and has been undergoing major rebuilding and revitalization.
“We commend the Biden administration for its steadfast efforts to rebuild the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program,” remarked Global Refuge President and CEO, Krish O'Mara Vignarajah. “Thanks to this administration’s commitment, these families have found safety, hope, and a sense of belonging in communities that are eager to embrace them as neighbors, friends, congregants, and co-workers.”
“As we inch closer to the 2024 election, there is much uncertainty about the future of persecuted refugees’ ability to seek safety and freedom in the United States. Our sincere hope is to continue this country’s long bipartisan legacy of welcoming the most vulnerable and leading by the power of our example.”
📰 Read the full press release: https://bit.ly/3Y6YTD8
President & CEO at Global Refuge
2moThanks Lutheran Community Services Northwest and David Duea. It was lovely to be with you and talk about the importance of our shared work of welcome.