Raising refugee admissions
Understanding the significance of President Biden’s goal to boost resettlement
In his most recent statement on projected refugee admissions, President Biden proposed a 125,000 admissions goal for the upcoming fiscal year. This goal would reassert the United State’s standing as one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world.
For refugees seeking entry to the U.S., this signals hope for a new beginning.
Critical timing—why this matters now
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that there are 26 million refugees under its official mandate. These numbers present a staggering challenge for global actors providing refugee resettlement.
The UNHCR reports that less than one percent of these 26 million refugees are resettled in third party countries, like the U.S., every year. Considering these realities, Biden’s proposed admissions increase comes at a critical point in history when global refugee numbers are at their highest and international resettlement numbers remain low.
This year alone, global resettlement needs are projected to reach 1.45 million people spanning across 5 regions, with Africa representing roughly 43% of this refugee pool.
As conflicts progress and chances of repatriation dwindle for those fleeing protracted crises (like Syria and Somalia), the opportunity for resettlement is one of the last options for refugees to rebuild their lives.
Biden’s proposed admissions increase comes at a critical point in history when global refugee numbers are at their highest and international resettlement numbers remain low.
Burden-sharing between developed and developing nations
For all stakeholders involved in the continued refugee response efforts, resettlement serves three key purposes: a protection tool, a long term solution, and a responsibility sharing mechanism. Biden’s resettlement aspirations reflect a commitment to international protection norms and strategies of “burden sharing” necessary among global actors in sustained refugee protection.
As it stands, 84% of all refugees eligible for resettlement are hosted in developing countries—which are already faced with limited resources and financial capabilities. These challenges often place undue burden on emerging economies, often beholden to expectations and timeframes dictated by more powerful countries.
In response to increasing demands, top hosting countries like Kenya are now putting their foot down. The Kenyan government recently announced plans to close the now famous Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps—home to over 400,000 refugees who have sought safety there for more than 15 years.
There is the potential for other refugee-hosting countries to follow suit should resettlement needs continue to rise.
Biden’s resettlement aspirations reflect a commitment to international protection norms and strategies of “burden sharing” necessary among global actors in sustained refugee protection.
The path forward
In the face of a thinly stretched refugee protection regime, third party resettlement is a critical solution for ensuring that the human rights of the most vulnerable are protected. Other countries with strong resettlement programs (like Sweden, Canada, and Australia) are also boosting their admissions goals for the upcoming year.
Ultimately, the success of these programs requires collective action by all stakeholders.
President Biden’s goal is a first step in addressing the ongoing challenges and demands of migration and displacement trends. Nevertheless, in the face of a staggering, global refugee crisis, a 125,000 refugee admissions cap is ‘just a drop in the bucket.’
