US considers possible increase in refugee admissions quota

A US official says the refugee cap of 7,500 may be reviewed and possibly increased, but the final decision rests with President Donald Trump. The policy remains under discussion as the government assesses resettlement levels. The current limit is far below previous years, with most recent admissions involving white South Africans, a move that has been disputed by South African authorities. Immigration policy remains tight and continues to face legal challenges in US courts.

A United States State Department official has indicated that the country may consider increasing its annual refugee admissions quota, which currently stands at a historic low of 7,500 under the administration of President Donald Trump. The remarks suggest that discussions are underway within government circles about a possible adjustment to refugee intake levels in the next fiscal cycle, although no final decision has been made.
The comments were made by Andrew Veprek, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, who stressed that any change to the quota remains ultimately subject to approval by the White House and the President. He noted that while early-stage thinking is taking place, the administration is also closely reviewing the overall pace and structure of refugee resettlement in the United States.
The current refugee cap marks a significant reduction compared to previous levels. In the prior fiscal year, the United States admitted approximately 125,000 refugees, but this figure was sharply reduced under revised immigration policies. The recent intake has been significantly smaller, with a notable proportion of admissions reportedly consisting of white South Africans.
These admissions have drawn international attention and controversy. The US government approved applications from white South Africans based on claims that they faced threats of violence and discrimination in their home country. However, South African authorities have strongly disputed these claims, stating that there is no evidence supporting allegations of systematic persecution or targeted risk of death against this group.
Veprek declined to provide details on whether any potential expansion of the refugee programme would include additional nationalities or ethnic groups. He emphasised that internal discussions are ongoing and that policy decisions have not yet been finalised.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies, Veprek also highlighted recent administrative changes in the management of refugee resettlement in the United States. He explained that responsibility for aspects of the programme was transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services earlier in the year, reflecting a broader restructuring of immigration-related functions within the federal government.
Immigration remains one of the central policy priorities of President Trump’s administration. His government has pursued a strict approach aimed at reducing both illegal immigration and certain forms of legal migration. This has included enhanced border enforcement, increased deportations, and tighter restrictions on visas and asylum processes.
Many of these policy measures have faced legal challenges in US courts. Several cases are currently moving through the judicial system, including disputes over asylum restrictions at the US-Mexico border and the continuation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programmes for nationals from countries such as Haiti and Syria. The outcomes of these cases are expected to be determined by the Supreme Court in upcoming rulings.
Veprek stated that existing immigration policies will remain in place for now, while the government continues discussions with other countries regarding the return of individuals who have been deported from the United States. These negotiations form part of broader efforts to manage migration flows and enforce immigration laws under the current policy framework.