Trump Sets Record Low Refugee Cap, Alters U.S. Immigration Focus

In a significant policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has set a record low refugee admissions ceiling for fiscal year 2026 at 7,500, according to a White House document published on Thursday. The decision, part of a broader strategy to reshape U.S. refugee policies, focuses on admitting South African Afrikaners, claiming racial persecution in their home country, a view contested by the South African government.

Since taking office, Trump temporarily halted U.S. refugee admissions, only approving resumes once deemed beneficial to U.S. interests. While prioritizing Afrikaners, his administration indicated potential plans to consider other groups, such as Europeans facing discrimination for political views, although they were not explicitly mentioned in Trump's declaration.

Facing criticism from refugee advocates, Trump's administration urged global leaders to join a campaign to reformulate asylum policies at the United Nations General Assembly. The new 7,500 refugee cap starkly contrasts with the 100,000 refugees admitted in fiscal 2024 under former President Joe Biden. Additionally, Trump's measures include transferring the refugee support program's oversight from the State Department to the Department of Health and Human Services.