President Biden on Friday signed an emergency determination that officials said would speed refugee admissions to the US, but he did not immediately lift his predecessor’s historically low cap of 15,000 refugees for this year.
By ZEKE MILLER, AAMER MADHANI and JULIE WATSONApril 16, 2021 GMT
President Joe Biden speaks about Russia in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
President Joe Biden speaks about Russia in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 15, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden on Friday signed an emergency determination to speed refugee admissions to the U.S., but kept his predecessor’s historically low cap of 15,000 refugees for this year, triggering an outcry from advocates for refugees and even Biden allies.
Many were surprised Biden has not replaced the cap by former President Donald Trump, having submitted a plan to Congress two months ago to quadruple that number. The administration has indicated he may still do so.
First published on Fri 16 Apr 2021 13.41 EDT
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Joe Biden was condemned on Friday for reversing a campaign pledge by leaving in place the historically low cap on refugee admissions set by his predecessor, Donald Trump.
The number of refugees allowed to resettle in the US per year fell from 85,000 to 15,000 under Trump, whose hardline “America first” agenda frequently portrayed migrants as a security threat.
Biden had considered raising the cap to 62,500 but instead opted for a policy that officials say will speed up the admissions process while keeping the 15,000 ceiling.
The U-turn left Biden facing potentially his first major rebellion from the left of the Democratic party. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive congresswoman from New York, tweeted: “Completely and utterly unacceptable. Biden promised to welcome immigrants, and people voted for him based on that promise.
Biden speeds refugee admissions but doesnât lift Trump cap President Joe Biden signs order to speed refugee admissions, but doesnât lift former President Donald Trumpâs historically low refugee cap for year. By ZEKE MILLER, AAMER MADHANI and JULIE WATSON | April 16, 2021 at 11:24 AM CDT - Updated April 16 at 12:28 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) â President Joe Biden on Friday signed an emergency determination that officials said would speed refugee admissions to the U.S., but he did not immediately lift his predecessorâs historically low cap of 15,000 refugees for this year.
Biden, instead, is adjusting the allocation limits set by former President Donald Trump, which officials said have been the driving factor in limiting refugee admissions. The new allocations provide more slots for refugees from Africa, the Middle East and Central America and lift Trumpâs restrictions on resettlements from Somalia, Syria and Yemen.