THE US will admit 125,000 refugees in 2025, up from 100,000 this year, Washington announced on Monday.
President Joe Biden has set such targets for each year of his administration under the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions.
‘Refugee resettlement exemplifies the generosity that has always been at the core of the American spirit and reflects the critical role of the United States as a global leader in providing refuge to people fleeing persecution overseas,’ the State Department said.
The resettled 100,000 refugees in 2024 are the largest annual number in three decades.
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‘This is a testament to our successful work to rebuild the US Refugee Admissions Programme with help from partners around the world and thousands of Americans across the country who have stepped up to sponsor refugees through the Welcome Corps,’ the State Department said.
It added: ‘Refugee resettlement is orderly, subject to rigorous vetting, and benefits and enriches American communities.
‘In cities and towns throughout America, refugees contribute to urban revitalisation, add to the vibrancy of local communities and drive America’s competitiveness and innovation on the global stage.
‘Over a 15-year period, refugees contributed almost $124bn to the US economy.
‘And resettlement offers the unique opportunity of a better life to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, at a time of historic global levels of displacement.’
The State Department said that the refugee admissions target of 125,000 would ensure that the US ‘will continue to be a global leader in providing safety and opportunity for those facing persecution around the world’.
Meanwhile, at the 79th UN General Assembly in New York, Washington announced almost $2.1bn in humanitarian assistance, of which $424 million will go to the regional response to the bitter armed conflict in Sudan
This includes assistance in Sudan itself and neighbouring countries to respond to needs stemming from the crisis that began in April 2023 and has become one of the most severe global challenges.
It will provide food, health, nutrition, protection, and other critical assistance to people across Sudan and neighbouring countries who have been severely affected by the ongoing conflict.
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are also benefiting from this humanitarian assistance, as well as the most vulnerable refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in Syria and neighbouring countries; and Rohingya refugees and communities hosting them in Bangladesh and the region.
The US is the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance globally, and has provided more than $54 billion since 2021.
