In response to the White House announcement that the Biden administration will raise the refugee admissions cap to 62,500, Oxfam America’s Global Policy Lead Noah Gottschalk said:
“We are relieved that the Biden administration has, after a long and unnecessary delay, kept its promise to raise the refugee admissions cap for this year to 62,500. This announcement means the United States can finally begin to rebuild the life-saving refugee resettlement program and welcome the tens of thousands of people who have been left stranded by four years of the Trump administration's xenophobic policies and three months of the Biden administration's inaction.
“Now we need to see this translated to urgent action - in Oxfam’s work around the globe, we see firsthand the violence, persecution and insecurity refugees face every day – and the threats they continue to confront as they await resettlement. Refugees who have been caught for too long in a state of limbo need to be welcomed as soon as possible so they can safely start to rebuild their lives in their new homes.
“The US has the resources and community support to get this done, and we will continue to call on President Biden’s team to do all in their power to admit all of the refugees authorized under this cap and to keep its promise of welcoming 125,000 next fiscal year.”