The United States and Refugee Resettlement: A Changing Landscape
The United States has long stood as a beacon of hope for individuals fleeing violence and persecution across the globe. With a history rooted in providing refuge to those in desperate need, the country has consistently been a leader in refugee resettlement. Yet, as the demand for refuge has increased dramatically over the past decade, the nation’s commitment to resettlement has faced significant challenges.
A Shift in Policy
Previously, the U.S. consistently welcomed more refugees each year than all other nations combined. This tradition enjoyed bipartisan support, reflecting a collective understanding of humanitarian responsibilities. However, a seismic shift occurred during the Trump administration, which dramatically reduced the annual cap on refugee admissions. Between 2017 and 2020, the U.S. resettled only 118,202 refugees, marking the lowest number in any four-year span since the inception of the U.S. refugee program. This period was significant not only for its reduction in numbers but also because, for the first time in modern history, the U.S. settled fewer refugees than the rest of the world combined.
A resurgence in resettlement attended President Biden’s administration, peaking at 100,034 refugees in 2024 alone. However, the specter of renewed limitation looms under a potential second Trump administration, which is contemplating indefinite suspension of all refugee resettlement, with exceptions possibly made for white South Africans.
Global Forcible Displacement
The need for resettlement has never been more pressing. As of June 2024, 122.6 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, a staggering increase from 42.7 million in 2012. This means that approximately 1 in 67 people globally is forcibly displaced. The driving factors behind this surge are complex and multi-faceted, with conflicts in nations like Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela escalating the crisis.
With these difficult choices, individuals either become internally displaced persons (IDPs)—remaining within their country’s borders—or they cross international borders, becoming refugees. However, only a minuscule 0.5% of refugees are selected for resettlement in third countries, emphasizing the dire circumstances many face.
The Growing Refugee Population
The alarming statistics continue to rise. As of June 2024, there were approximately 46 million refugees globally, nearly double from a decade earlier. Children under 18 represent more than 40% of this population. The countries generating the highest numbers of refugees include Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan, reflecting both ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Understanding who qualifies as a "Refugee"
The legal definition of a refugee is crucial for processing asylum applications and understanding who is eligible for assistance. Under U.S. law, a refugee is defined as someone unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. This definition is rooted in the 1951 United Nations Convention and has been integrated into U.S. law through the Refugee Act of 1980.
However, varying definitions exist across international law. For instance, the Cartagena Declaration expands the eligible criteria to include individuals fleeing generalized violence or large-scale human rights violations. Consequently, the understanding of who qualifies as a refugee can vary widely depending on legal interpretations and geopolitical contexts.
The Process of Refugee Admissions
The President, in consultation with Congress, determines the annual cap on refugee admissions—a critically important figure that informs the capacity to respond to global displacement needs. For the fiscal year 2025, the ceiling is set at 125,000, a notable increase from the cap during the Trump administration, yet still significantly lower than historical ceilings from the early 1980s.
The admissions process itself is intricate, involving several priority categories:
- Priority One: Individuals with urgent protection needs referred by UNHCR or other organizations.
- Priority Two: Groups identified by the U.S. as having special concern—such as certain religious minorities.
- Priority Three: Family members of already resettled refugees.
- Priority Four: Refugees who are sponsored by groups of U.S. citizens upon arrival.
Refugees can only access the U.S. refugee admissions program through referrals and the process involves thorough background checks, security screenings, and interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The Refugee Resettlement Journey
Once a refugee is approved for resettlement, a well-coordinated journey to the U.S. begins with cultural orientation classes and arrangements for housing and logistics by domestic resettlement agencies. This support extends for an initial 90-day period with financial assistance for rent, food, and clothing.
Notably, refugees can apply for Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status one year after resettlement, leading to potential naturalization five years later. The areas with the most arrivals in FY 2024 included Texas, California, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania, showing the diverse and expansive nature of resettlement throughout the U.S.
Challenges in Resettlement
However, the process can be daunting and increasingly precarious. Prior to the first Trump administration, the resettlement process took about 18 to 24 months. The following years saw significant delays due to policy shifts, ‘extreme vetting’ requirements, and staffing reductions at resettlement agencies. With the current political climate signaling potential further reductions, the future of refugee resettlement hangs in the balance.
As the landscape of global displacement evolves, the need for concerted humanitarian efforts and robust policies aimed at refugee resettlement becomes not just a matter of numbers, but a deeply human imperative.
