Biden will keep Trump's historically low cap on refugee admissions.

[brooklynite]

Source: New York Times

The Biden administration will keep the target of refugee admissions for this year at the historically low level set by the Trump administration, walking back an earlier pledge to welcome more than 60,000 refugees into the United States.

President Biden in February committed to welcoming those fleeing persecution around the world, and to raising the cap of 15,000 refugees set by the prior administration. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken notified Congress on Feb. 12 that the administration planned to allow up to 62,500 refugees to enter the country in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.

The reversal on Mr. Biden’s promise to welcome in thousands of families fleeing war and religious persecution signals the president’s hesitant approach to rebuilding an immigration system gutted by his successor. But the delay in officially designating the refugee admissions has already left hundreds of refugees cleared to travel to the United State stranded in camps around the world and infuriated resettlement agencies that accused Mr. Biden of breaking an earlier promise to restore the American reputation as a sanctuary for the oppressed.

A senior administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the decision-making, said the administration grew concerned that the surge of border crossings by unaccompanied minors was too much and had already overwhelmed the refugee branch of the Department of Health and Human Services. But migrants at the border seeking asylum are processed in an entirely separate system than refugees fleeing persecution overseas.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/biden-refugees-cap.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes

[sinkingfeeling]

1. I do not like this decision. I might have accepted it if it were based

on Covid-19 fears.

[uppityperson]

2. Bah

[DTomlinson]

3. And Biden will get exactly how much credit from Republicans for this?

[ramen]

4. I agree, exactly none, and that is the exact reason I wish he wouldn't give them an inch. nt

[George II]

5. That's an inaccurate interpretation of what the Administration said....

Here's the official White House Press Release:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/16/statement-by-press-secretary-jen-psaki-on-the-emergency-presidential-determination-on-refugee-admissions-for-fiscal-year-2021/

Statement by Press Secretary Jen Psaki on the Emergency Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2021

APRIL 16, 2021 • STATEMENTS AND RELEASES

The President’s directive today has been the subject of some confusion. Last week, he sent to Congress his budget for the fiscal year starting in October 2021, which honors his commitment. For the past few weeks, he has been consulting with his advisors to determine what number of refugees could realistically be admitted to the United States between now and October 1. Given the decimated refugee admissions program we inherited, and burdens on the Office of Refugee Resettlement, his initial goal of 62,500 seems unlikely.

While finalizing that determination, the President was urged to take immediate action to reverse the Trump policy that banned refugees from many key regions, to enable flights from those regions to begin within days; today’s order did that. With that done, we expect the President to set a final, increased refugee cap for the remainder of this fiscal year by May 15.

###

[Polybius]

6. Good

During times of Covid, this is the right decision.

[Marthe48]

7. As long as people

are sending their kids on arduous solo journeys because they have a better chance at staying alive, or sacrificing their traditions, their homes, or fleeing their homes to stay alive, I'll keep hoping that people already in the U.S. will soften their outlook.

There are so many places in our country with abandoned farms, empty buildings, opportunities going begging because the people who developed those farms, those buildings, tried those opportunities moved on to something else, or had no families to continue their efforts. If Americans have no interest in reusing old farms, or trying new businesses in old buildings, why not let refugees, immigrants and migrants have a chance to revitalize these places? I would think that any opportunity that included safety would be gratefully accepted.

For that matter, if we want to revitalize the American Dream, let's make some kind of program where citizens can rent or lease or eventually buy these developed buy unused properties? How about some kind of lend-lease? How about some kind of equitable finite tenancy where someone can try a feasible idea for a number of years? They could pay rent with option to buy, and if they can't make a go, at least they had a chance.

There could be incubators where experienced people could monitor and guide Americans or new residents through the process of beginning a farm or business. There are existing programs like Chamber of Commerce, Farm Extension Bureaus and regional councils which could oversee the efforts of startup and hands on learning.

America still has opportunities that are being squandered. Let's give refugees, immigrants and migrants a chance. There is enough to share.