President Joe Biden announced on Monday that his administration is raising the United States’ annual refugee admissions cap to 62,500 for this fiscal year. Truman immigration experts issued the following analysis of the decision:
Camille Mackler, Truman Senior Visiting Immigration Fellow, Executive Director, Immigrant ARC
“President Biden’s decision to raise refugee numbers this fiscal year was the right decision, even if the way it came to be highlighted the significant challenges we face in repairing our immigration system. If the United States wants to return to a position of global leadership, we must start by showing our commitment to the millions of individuals who are displaced around the world. We cannot rebuild trust with our foreign allies or our local communities without a clear and strong message that we are once again guided by our moral imperatives, and yesterday’s announcement is a step in that direction.”
Chris Purdy, Truman Defense Council, Project Manager, Veterans for American Ideals, Human Rights First
“The Biden administration's delayed increase in the number of refugees admitted into the United States is a welcome first step on the road to restoring our nation as a beacon of hope for the world. While 62,500 more people fleeing violence and repression will now be able to find refuge, join communities, start families, and open businesses in the United States, it's still far short of the 125,000 the president committed to welcoming during his campaign. President Biden must honor this promise to the American people and the world.”
Susannah Cunningham, Truman Security Fellow, Co-Founder, Only Through US
“Refugees have been waiting years — completing in good faith everything that the U.S. has asked of them, from expansive paperwork to medical reviews to any number of security clearance interviews — believing that the U.S. would restore the refugee resettlement program, offer them direly needed safe refuge from the threats to their lives, and, in many cases, finally reunite them with their family in the U.S. President Biden took a meaningful step in fulfilling a promise to restoring the U.S. as a leader in welcoming refugees again. Faith communities around the country rejoice that they may again welcome refugee families into their communities, congregations, and lives — and we will be all the better for it. Because we know that welcoming refugees to the U.S. is not just about who they are, but about who we are.”
