The government of US President Joe Biden is going to admit even more recognized refugees for this year. The historically low maximum of 15,000 decided by his predecessor Donald Trump will be increased to 62,500 this financial year.
Biden said after his inauguration in January that he wants to admit more refugees soon, but surprised his party members when he wanted to stick to the small numbers of his predecessor. Trump regularly lowered the number of refugees allowed to come to the US each year during his presidency.
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The 15,000 refugee ceiling would leave thousands of refugees in uncertainty in camps in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Jordan. The refugees are not yet physically present in the US, but are awaiting their asylum application in their own country.
Biden now says in a statement that the earlier cap “did not reflect America’s values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.” He does add that the “sad truth” is that the 62,500 will not be reached this year. “We are working hard to undo the damage of the past four years.”
For the coming financial year, Biden wants to raise the ceiling to 125,000. But that goal will also be difficult to achieve, the president warns. “It will take time, but we are working on it.”
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