Biden Maintains Ambitious Refugee Admission Target for 2025

President Joe Biden will uphold the administration's goal of admitting 125,000 refugees in 2025. The U.S. aims to admit 100,000 people through its Refugee Admissions Program in 2024, marking the highest levels in three decades. Immigration remains a crucial issue ahead of the upcoming elections.

President Joe Biden is set to keep the administration's target of admitting 125,000 refugees next year, as confirmed by a memo to the U.S. State Department on Monday.

The Biden administration is on track to bring in 100,000 refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in fiscal year 2024, ending on September 30. This would represent the highest level of refugee admissions in three decades, according to an internal report to U.S. lawmakers, Reuters reported.

In his memo, Biden stated, 'The admission of up to 125,000 refugees to the United States during Fiscal Year 2025 is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.' With immigration a top voter issue ahead of the November 5 elections, where Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off, Biden reiterated his commitment. Trump's previous administration significantly reduced refugee admissions and he has vowed a stringent immigration crackdown if re-elected.

The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is intended for people outside their home countries facing persecution due to race, religion, nationality, social group membership, or political opinion. Applicants must be outside the U.S. to qualify. Biden set the 125,000 target initially for fiscal year 2022, a goal that has proven challenging despite increased efforts in refugee processing.