***For Immediate Release***
Friday April 16, 2021
Contact: James Goddard
Programs Senior Director, Nebraska Appleseed
C: (402) 570-9462
jgoddard@neappleseed.org
Biden administration leaves refugee admissions goal at historic low
Historic-low admissions for those seeking safety are against American values
Lincoln, NE — Today, the Biden Administration announced that it will keep the historic-low refugee admissions goal of 15,000 set under the Trump administration in place for the remainder of this fiscal year. The cap of 15,000 is far below the 62,500 proposed by Congress this year.
In response, Christa Yoakum, Senior Welcoming Coordinator, issued the following statement:
“We are deeply dismayed by this announcement from the Biden Administration, which will leave thousands of families in unnecessary danger and uncertainty. There was no reason to reduce refugee admissions to an all-time low by the previous administration, and there is no reason to leave the historic-low refugee admissions level intact. Doing so is not only unnecessary, but is also cruel. Families who were ready for travel to the United States will now have to wait months or years to be resettled and reunited with their loved ones. Nebraska has a long history and values of welcoming refugee families who are an important part of our communities, and many local partners are ready to continue that tradition.”
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