Refugee Admissions for FY 2002 Set at 70,000, But Falling Behind

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Asylum, Refugee, and Other
Protected Statuses

REFUGEE ADMISSIONS FOR FY 2002 SET AT 70,000, BUT FALLING BEHIND
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 16, No. 1, February 28, 2002

President Bush has announced his determinations regarding refugee admissions during fiscal year (FY) 2002. According to the announcement, the U.S. will admit 70,000 refugees, which is 10,000 fewer refugees than were authorized for FY 2001. Federal FY 2002 began Oct. 1, 2001, and will end Sept. 30, 2002. However, in the wake of the September 11 attacks, a moratorium was imposed on refugee admissions; and although this was lifted on Nov. 21, 2001, actual refugee resettlement is proceeding at a very slow pace. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) reports that only 751 refugees were resettled in the first quarter of FY 2002, compared with 14,000 refugees resettled in the first quarter of FY 2001. Despite the authorization for 70,000 admissions, the State Dept. has told LIRS and other national resettlement agencies to expect no more than 45,000-50,000 refugees this fiscal year.

The 70,000 prospective refugee admissions have been allocated among the world's geographic regions as follows: Africa (22,000); East Asia, including Amerasians (4,000); Eastern Europe (9,000); the former Soviet Union (17,000); Latin America and the Caribbean (3,000); the Near East and South Asia (15,000). In addition, 10,000 refugee admission numbers are to be made available for the adjustment to permanent residence of persons who have been granted asylum in the U.S.

According to the presidential announcement, the administration will grant refugee admission to nationals of Cuba, Vietnam, and countries of the former Soviet Union even if they are still in their countries of origin.

66 Fed. Reg. 63,487-88 (Dec. 7, 2001).