The White House on Friday reversed the course on refugee admissions, after an earlier announcement that a controversial Trump-era refugee cap had been maintained was met with contempt by Democrats and immigration activists.
After a day of setbacks by Democrats, White House press secretary Jen Psaki
Jen Psaki Oornight Defense: Administration says’ low to moderate confidence ‘Russia behind Afghanistan bounties Russia’s low to medium risk’ invades Ukraine within next few weeks | Intelligence leaders face sharp questions during global threats he delays overnight health care: Johnson & Johnson criticizes CDC panel | Pfizer CEO says third dose of COVID-19 vaccine likely needed within one year CDC finds less than 1 percent of people fully vaccinated got Hillicon Valley from COVID-19: Biden administration sanctions Russia for SolarWinds hack, interference in elections MORE announced that Biden would set a new, higher ceiling in May after initially saying it would keep the current limit of 15,000.
The initial decision led to widespread complaints from Democratic lawmakers and groups representing refugees, which Biden had already urged around the ceiling set by former president. President Trump
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Rep. Ilhan Omar
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Psaki’s statement late Friday tried to reverse the controversial announcement.
It was said that Biden’s appointment earlier on Friday was a bit confusing, and although it would be difficult to achieve Biden’s goal of allowing 62,500 refugees into the country this year due to the changes Trump introduced, it tried to raise a ceiling higher than 15,000 in May.
‘Over the past few weeks, he has been consulting with his advisers to determine how many refugees can realistically be admitted to the United States until October 1st, given the retired refugee admission program we inherited, and the burdens on the office of refugees. Relocation, its initial target of 62,500 seems unlikely, “said Psaki.
‘While finalizing the decision, the President is urged to take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy banning refugees from very important regions so that flights from those regions can begin within days; today’s order did it, ”the statement continued. “If we do that, we expect the president to set a final, increased refugee limit by May 15 for the rest of this fiscal year.”
The turnaround was initially well received by the Democrats, who were critical of the refugee cap, but the White House’s message error was not completely overlooked.
“While I’m glad to hear that @POTUS still wants to increase the number of refugees, I urge the admin to move urgently and communicate with clarity,” Rep. Verónica Escobar (D-Texas) wrote on Twitter.
The earlier announcement hit Democrats twice, both because it maintained a controversial Trump-era policy and because it caught Capitol Hill’s key allies off guard.
Omar, a former beneficiary of the refugee program, sent a letter to Biden earlier Friday to push for an increased refugee cap.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Sen. Bob Menendez
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Failure to issue a new provision undermines your stated goal of reversing your predecessor’s refugee policy and rebuilding the refugee admissions program to a target of 125,000 people in FY22, and threatens U.S. leadership over forced migration , ‘Menendez wrote.
Some Democrats celebrated the government’s flexibility after a day of intense friendly fire.
“I am glad that this decision was made, we are a better country for it. It is a better administration therefore,” said Rep. Ruben Gallego
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The White House has had questions for weeks about when Biden would sign an order to raise the refugee cap to fulfill a promise he made on the campaign. Biden said he plans to increase the number of admissions for refugees to 125,000 in his first full year in office.
The government’s whiplash on refugee numbers reflects a tense system, plagued by aggressive cuts during the Trump administration and the sustained pressure on the housing of underage minors experienced on the southwestern border.
Both the intake of global refugees and the care of minors are entrusted to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to the Wall Street Journal report, ORR has depleted its $ 1.3 billion budget for this year in an effort to pay for housing for underage minors.
The agency’s fiscal problems will make it impossible for Biden’s previously stated goal of desecrating 62,500 refugees by 2021. But Biden has requested a $ 4.3 billion ORR budget for 2022 with the goal of settling 125,000 refugees in that fiscal year.
Immigration lawyers are still spending Friday wondering why Biden would proactively set a low streak on 15,000 refugees, rather than strive for the previously set target of 62,500 refugees.
Alex Nowrasteh, director of immigration studies at the Cato Institute, attributes the attitude to “political fear given the border crisis and the desire to start things small, so that the refugee agencies have a chance to start again.”