WASHINGTON – According to a senior administration official, President Joe Biden will not increase the number of refugees allowed to enter the U.S. this year, breaking a previous promise to raise the cap from the historic low level set by Trump government has been established.
Biden informed Congress in February that he would increase the number of refugees allowed into the country from 15,000 to 62,500 in the fiscal year ending September 30, and to 125,000 for the following year. But he never signed the presidential determination that would actually increase the cap, and keep the cap effective at the Trump-era level. Such paperwork is usually signed shortly after a policy announcement.
Biden’s decision not to lift the cap underscores the pressure on his government to address the increase in migrants, many of whom arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border unaccompanied to seek asylum. Republicans criticized Biden for the situation and considered his administration to be borderline insecure.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has been asked several times in recent days why, after two months, Biden still did not sign the presidential resolution but failed to provide reporters with information.
“I can assure everyone that the president is still committed to it. He is someone who believes that refugees, that immigrants are the heart and soul of our country, and it has been for decades,” Psaki said on Thursday.
“And it’s definitely a matter he’s committed to,” she added. “But I do not have an update on the timeline of the signing.”
According to an analysis by the International Rescue Committee, Biden is on track to accept the fewest refugees this year from any modern president, including Trump. The IRC said that by the middle of the 2021 financial year, only 2050 refugees will be admitted.
Biden had a quick setback from the Democrats in Congress, who publicly urged him to honor his commitment.
“The United States has a proud, dual tradition of providing refugee protection through resettlement,” Sen. Bob Menendez, DN.J., chairman of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement. “Failure to issue a new provision undermines your stated purpose of reversing your predecessor’s refugee policy.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Called Biden’s decision ‘disgraceful’.
“As a refugee, I know that finding a home is a matter of life or death for children around the world,” she said. posted on Twitter.
