The United States is considering increasing its annual refugee admissions quota, currently set at a historic low of 7,500, according to a State Department official.
The cap was significantly reduced by US President Donald Trump for the 2026 fiscal year, down from 125,000 the previous year. A large proportion of those recently admitted are white South African farmers, whose applications were approved based on claims they face persecution, allegations that have been rejected by the South African government.
Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Veprek indicated that the administration is reviewing current resettlement trends and may adjust the quota in the next fiscal year, or potentially sooner. However, he did not confirm whether any increase would extend to other nationalities or groups.
Speaking at a policy event, Veprek noted that responsibility for refugee resettlement was transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year, signalling a shift in how the programme is managed.
Immigration remains a central issue for the Trump administration, with stricter controls introduced on both illegal and legal migration. These include deportation efforts and tighter restrictions on asylum seekers and skilled workers.
Several of these measures are currently being challenged in court, with the US Supreme Court expected to rule on key issues such as asylum access at the Mexican border and the Temporary Protected Status programme for certain nationalities.
Despite potential changes to refugee numbers, officials say current policies remain in place, while discussions continue with foreign governments to facilitate the return of their nationals.
Facebook Comments