Refugee Admissions for FY 2003 Set at 70,000, but Target May Not Be Reached

IMMIGRATION LAW & POLICY

Asylum, Refugee, and Other
Protected Statuses

REFUGEE ADMISSIONS FOR FY 2003 SET AT 70,000, BUT TARGET MAY NOT BE REACHED
Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 16, No. 7, November 22, 2002

After consulting with Congress, President George W. Bush has determined that for fiscal year (FY) 2003 the United States may admit 70,000 refugees. Federal FY 2003 began Oct. 1, 2002, and will end Sept. 30, 2003.

The presidential determination allocates only 50,000 admissions numbers to different parts of the world, leaving 20,000 of the admissions numbers in an "unallocated reserve," to be used if needed. Based on recent experience, it is likely that the United States will not use all of the 50,000 admissions numbers that are allocated. According to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, although 70,000 refugee admissions were allocated for FY 2002, only 27,058 refugees were actually admitted, indicating that the admissions process has slowed greatly since Sept. 11, 2001.

The 70,000 prospective refugee admissions have been allocated among the world's geographic regions as follows: Africa (20,000); East Asia, including Amerasians (4,000); Eastern Europe (2,500); the former Soviet Union (14,000); Latin America and the Caribbean (2,500); the Near East and South Asia (7,000); and the unallocated reserve (20,000). 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 United States.

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.

Presidential Determination No. 2003-02 (Oct. 16, 2002).