Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360].
U.S. President Joseph Biden announced Monday that he will increase to 62,500 the number of refugees to be accepted into the U.S. during the current fiscal year, which "erases the historically low number set by the previous administration of 15,000".
And that number, he said, did not reflect America's values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.
Through a statement, the president said that the new limit on admissions will also reinforce efforts already underway to expand U.S. capacity to admit refugees, so that the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions for the next fiscal year can be reached.
"It is important to take this action today to remove any lingering doubts in the minds of refugees around the world who have suffered so much and who are anxiously awaiting the start of their new lives," he detailed in the document issued by The White House.
Biden said the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program embodies America's commitment to protect the most vulnerable and to be a beacon of freedom and refuge for the world.
"It's a statement about who we are and who we want to be. So we are going to rebuild what is broken and we will work hard to complete the rigorous screening process for refugees who are already in the admission process," he added.
However, he detailed that the 62,500 admissions will not be achieved this year. "We are working quickly to repair the damage of the last four years. It will take some time, but that work is already underway."
He added that the budget he has submitted to Congress reflects his commitment to the goal of 125,000 refugee admissions in his first fiscal year in office.
"That goal will remain elusive. We may not achieve it in the first year. But we will use every tool available to help these refugees who have been fully vetted and who are fleeing horrible conditions in their home countries," he concluded.
