Refugee Congress denounces Trump administration's decision to continue to restrict access to safety for all people forced to flee
Washington, D.C. – On October 1, the Trump administration released the Presidential Determination (PD) on refugee admissions for Fiscal Year 2027, which announces plans to admit up to 17,500 individuals, explicitly prioritizing Afrikaners over other populations seeking safety.
Refugee Congress denounces this decision that puts a preference on who is welcome and who deserves safety. While the administration has increased the ceiling for refugee admissions from its historically low levels in FY2026, it continues to prevent millions of people who remain at-risk in countries like Afghanistan, Burma, South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, and Venezuela from safety. Additionally, it continues to endanger others by barring people from accessing asylum, revoking temporary protected status for thousands of our neighbors, re-vetting already resettled refugees, and recklessly detaining and deporting people back to dangerous conditions or to countries they have no ties or connections to.
“I believed there was hope—that one day, those seeking refuge would find safety. But my hope was cut short when the most vulnerable, waiting for years in refugee camps, were left behind,” said Tshishiku Henry, Delegate for Washington. “Mr. President, please reconsider: prioritize those in greatest need, allow those already in the resettlement pipeline to complete their screening, and give them the opportunity to find safety. Refuge should be a promise of hope, not a privilege for the few.”
“Safety should never be selective. When a person is fleeing persecution, their country of origin should not determine whether their life is worth protecting. Refuge is about humanity, and that humanity must apply to everyone,” said Tajalla Moslih, Associate Delegate.
“Refugee protection should be based on humanitarian need, not nationality or race. We are deeply concerned about the FY2027 Presidential Determination and policies that prioritize one group while leaving other vulnerable refugees behind. We believe all refugees facing persecution and displacement deserve fair consideration for resettlement and protection,” said S.D., Delegate for New Mexico.
“Behind every number in a refugee admissions determination is a person, a parent waiting for their child, a family separated by borders, a young person hoping for an opportunity to build a future, or someone simply seeking a place where they can live without fear. We cannot lose sight of the humanity at the heart of refugee protection for all,” said Halima Hamud, Honorary Delegate.
“I am deeply saddened and disappointed to see this direction at a time when we need to remember those who came to America seeking safety and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. America has a long history of saving lives and welcoming people who were forced to flee persecution and conflict. We need to continue building an America that saves lives, strengthens communities, and that recognizes the skills, resilience, and contributions that refugees bring to our nation,” said Paul Mwingwa, Delegate for Montana.
“Seventy-five years ago, the Refugee Convention set a clear standard for who is a refugee and what nations owe them. That definition is based on persecution and the need for protection, not on politics or preference. The United States made that standard law with the Refugee Act of 1980, affirming a tradition of protection upheld by leaders of both parties,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director. “This determination falls short of it. Refugee protection is not a reward handed out by preference; it is an obligation owed to people fleeing persecution. Where the administration is failing our most vulnerable neighbors, it’s up to us – Congress, local leaders, and every American who believes in this country's promise – to hold it accountable and defend refuge.”
