U.S. President Joe Biden has raised the cap on refugee admissions to 62,500 this year after widespread criticism. In a statement he said, “This erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000, which did not reflect America’s values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.” But, he added, “the sad truth is that we will not achieve 62,500 admissions this year or reach a goal of 125,000 admissions next year.” The refugee program is different from the asylum system for migrants. According to an earlier memo signed by Biden, there will be 22,000 spots for refugees from Africa, 6,000 from East Asia, 4,000 from Europe and Central Asia, 5,000 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 13,000 from South Asia. Another 12,500 unallocated spots will also be available.
