Refugee Council USA Deeply Alarmed by Reported Historic Low FY 2026 Refugee Admissions Goal and President’s Defiance of U.S. Law

Washington, D.C. — Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) is deeply alarmed by reports that the President has signed a Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions (PD) dated September 30, setting the refugee admissions goal at just 7,500—an unprecedented and devastating low that compounds the indefinite refugee ban that largely remains in place. Reports indicate the U.S. will prioritize Afrikaners (white South Africans) and others facing “unjust discrimination,” a move that likely comes at the expense of the 120,000+ refugees already conditionally-approved for resettlement as of January 20th. Equally troubling is the administration’s failure to transmit a report to Congress or conduct the statutorily-required congressional consultations prior to October 1st, in direct violation of federal law.

“After defying U.S. law by failing to consult with Congress, the Trump administration has broken faith with the American people, who have welcomed refugees into their communities for decades – and with refugees who have been waiting in line for years. A record-low refugee admissions goal aligns with this administration’s consistently bad-faith approach to refugee and humanitarian protections, jeopardizing people’s lives, separating families, and undermining our national security and economic growth. Our elected leaders must recognize this as a moment to publicly urge the President to reverse course and restore a robust U.S. resettlement program that resettles the most at-risk,” said John Slocum, Executive Director, Refugee Council USA.

RCUSA joins members such as Church World Service, HIAS, and Global Refuge in condemning this proposed decision and calling for the administration to take immediate action and consult with Congress, raise the refugee admissions goal to 125,000 in FY26, and fulfill the United States’ humanitarian commitments by fully restoring the U.S. resettlement program.

RCUSA’s previous statement on the President’s defiance of U.S. law by delaying congressional consultations and a Presidential Determination until after the start of FY26 is available here. 

Media Contact: Mariam Sayeed, msayeed@rcusa.org

RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically.

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