Refugee Congress Condemns Historic Low Refugee Admissions Cap and Discriminatory Prioritization That Abandons the Most Vulnerable
October 31, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Refugee Congress denounces the Trump administration's Presidential Determination setting the Fiscal Year 2026 refugee admissions goal at 7,500. This decision represents a moral catastrophe and a complete abandonment of America's humanitarian leadership at a time when over 123 million people worldwide have been forcibly displaced from their homes.
As refugees who have experienced firsthand the life-saving impact of resettlement, we are devastated by this administration's systematic destruction of the refugee program. Since January 20th, the Trump administration has dismantled our nation's capacity to welcome refugees piece by piece, despite widespread community and bipartisan support for resettlement.
The administration's explicit prioritization of White South Africans is not only discriminatory, it is a fundamental distortion of the refugee program's core mission. More than 120,000 refugees who had already been conditionally approved for resettlement as of January 20th remain in limbo, their cases frozen while the administration fast-tracks recent applicants ahead of them.
This administration is extinguishing that hope for the world's most vulnerable people while prioritizing a group that does not face the same level of acute danger.
“The Presidential Determination released today is an intentionally discriminatory and racially selective misapplication of its purpose, which is to provide a lifesaving pathway for people who are fleeing persecution in search of safety,” said Nili Yossinger, Executive Director of Refugee Congress. "Today, this administration is slamming the door on the world's most vulnerable people while fast-tracking those who fit their preferred profile. This betrays our values and violates our legal commitments to the most at-risk. We will not accept it as a fait acommpli. We call on Congress to immediately press the administration to reverse course and propose a PD that is reflective of the true intent and purpose of the refugee resettlement program, which has saved countless lives and strengthened our country for nearly half a century."
Refugee Congress calls on Congress to immediately pressure the Trump administration to restore the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, increase the refugee admissions goal to 125,000 to meet global needs, ensure refugees are prioritized based on vulnerability and protection needs, and maintain critical funding for refugee processing, admissions, and resettlement services, including healthcare, nutrition assistance, and education.
Local and state leaders must join in publicly condemning this discriminatory policy, reaffirm a commitment to welcoming refugees, and continue supporting resettlement agencies and refugee integration programs.
The United States has long been a beacon of hope for the persecuted. This administration's actions represent a shameful departure from our nation's values and legal obligations under domestic and international law. History will judge this moment.
Refugees are humans who deserve dignity, protection, and a chance to rebuild our lives in safety. We will not stop pushing back until the refugee program is restored and the most at-risk forcibly displaced people receive the protection they desperately need.
Media Contact:
Jen Lee Reeves media@refugeecongress.org
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